Thursday 31 December 2015

Joseph Braddell & Son. Belfast





Joseph Braddell & Son

                              Gun & Rifle Manufacturers

Arthur Street/Square.
Belfast


William Clarke, proprietor outside Braddells premises in Arthur Square. C.1930

                  Joseph Braddell & Son were located at this address for the period 1915-1975.

               For additional information related to this company please refer to our blogs of:
12/12/2015
5/12/2015
22/10/2015
1/9/2015
26/8/2015

We are always pleased to receive details relating to this company.

  Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Wednesday 30 December 2015

William Cox.Gunmaker

William Cox

Gunmaker

Waterford

              Flintlock half stocked duelling pistol by William Cox, Waterford. c.1810





     William Cox
      c.1796-1820.
William Street      Waterford. 


Very little is known of William Cox, however, he had approximately twenty four years in the guntrade in Waterford.

John Cox is also listed and he traded for a short period prior to William in Waterford. If they were father and son we are not certain but highly probable. (research ongoing).

    John Cox.  John Street, Waterford          c.1772-1788.

The above pistol being registered under the 1843 Act in Leitrim Borough (LB 50).


We are always pleased to know of other pistols produced by either of these gunmakers.

William & John Cox originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA. 
Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.
Vol.11. No 1

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Tuesday 29 December 2015

Robert Rogers. Gun-maker



Robert Rogers
Gun-maker
Patrick Street
Cork

c.1805-1817

                             Robert Rogers advertisement from May 15th 1817.


      In the above advertisement Robert Rogers not only informs his clients of the weaponry
      available but he also has a promotional price selling items at 11s.4.1/2d each or Three for £1-12s.



                                        Advertisement from 15th September 1817

                             Robert Rogers notifying his clients of his pending retirement.
            This he achieved by March 1818 having sold his business interest to Joseph Bowls.

             In future blogs we will cover the work of both Robert Rogers and Joseph Bowls.


Robert Rogers originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA. 
Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.
Vol.11. No 1.

We are always interested to know of or receive information related to the gunmakers of Cork.

                                                Dave Stroud ramrodantiques.co.uk

Monday 28 December 2015

Sheehan's Cutlery Manufactory:Cork.



Sheehan's Cutlery Manufactory
Cork

                                             Mid 18th century advertisement.

Interestingly, Sheehan's mention the cleaning of Arms and Repairs at the shortest notice. This in all probability edged weapons but pistols and guns may well have been included in the mix?

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Sunday 27 December 2015

Carlow County: 1843 Registration Act.

The Irish Registration Act of 1843

                          Schedule B.,6&7 Vic.,Cap.74,Sec 3.
                                    Licence to Keep Arms.

                                         County Carlow.

     

The following entries have been collected over a number years by myself, fellow collectors
and dealers. In total over 1100 registrations from the 40 areas have been collated which is a very small sample of the 300.000 weapons the authorities had calculated were in circulation in private hands
at this time.

The list below gives all those weapons found registered in County Carlow between 1843-1846.
Listed are the county prefix, licence number, description of weapon/s and where possible the maker/retailer.


Registrations found for County Carlow.


CW 57/58
Cased Duelling Pistols
Wogdon
CW 165/166
Percussion Pocket Pistol
Calderwood
CW 239
Cased D/B Turnover Pistol
Rigby
CW 240
Percussion Turnover Vender Pistol
W&J Rigby
CW 307
Early 18th century Flk Holster Pistol

CW 310
Flk Steel Barrelled Blunderbuss
Gray
CW 487
Perc' Pocket Pistol
D.Egg
CW 716
Cased 6 Shot Pepperbox
W & J Rigby
CW 863
Flk 16 Bore Carbine. Dublin Castle

CW 1009
Flk D/B Shotgun
Manton
CW 1250
Flk Brass Barrelled Blunderbuss.
Ketland & Co
CW 1094/1095
Flk Manstopper/Travelling Pistol
Goggin
CW 1922
Flk Steel Barrelled Blunderbuss

CW 2071
Flk Steel Barrelled Blunderbuss
Fowler
CW 2792/2793
Pair Greatcoat Pistols
Rogers
CW 3010/3011
Cased Pair of Flk Duellers.
W & J Rigby
CW 3724
Pistol issued and licenced to Samuel Thorpe. 3rd April 1846*

         NB: Licence only.No description of weapon.


*The interesting fact in this batch of registrations is that Licence 
CW 3724 was issued in April 1846. This being the year the Act was repealed. Therefore, we can assume this was one of he final
registrations in this county. This indicating that less than 4000 licences were issued in this county for the whole 3 year period.

In April 1846 the Act would have been running for two and a half years. Indicating that each month on average the Petty Session were
issuing approximately 120 licences. Once the paperwork had been raised the owner could then attend the police barracks where his weapon/weapons could be duly "Branded". No doubt when the Act commenced in 1843 there would have been a large amount of
registrations to administer and this would have gradually trailed off.

Please refer to our previous blogs related to this Act listed below:

21/12/2015
15/12/2015
28/11/2015
18/11/2015
21/10/2015
 10/9/2015



                        Official House of Commons Returns 8th May 1846. 



                                                                                                                                                     3470   


We are always pleased to know of any weapons registered in this county or any of the other 38 areas.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk








Saturday 26 December 2015

M. Anglin & Son. Wexford.



M. Anglin 
Gun & Pistol Manufactory
Monck Street
Wexford.



Advertisement dated 19th September 1825



The original business was commenced in the early 19th cent., by William Anglin. d.1825.
As can be seen his widow continued the business with her son, Robert. Yet the reference to "Her" Manufactory leaves us in no doubt as to who was running the business at this time. However, the company did at a later time change to M & R Anglin


A very petite and pretty pair of percussion muff pistols
with fluted steel barrels. German silver boxlock frames with concealed 
triggers.These pistols possibly Birmingham made and 
merely retailed by M & R Anglin.

Robert Anglin is listed as trading alone in 1841  (Wexford Independent 9/6/1841)


NB: We do have a reference to J.Anglin gunsmith of Wexford but to date have
 been unable to confirm the trading dates or first name.   


Research on the Anglin family of Wexford gunmakers is ongoing.

We are always pleased to receive information on any of the provincial Irish gunmakers.

William Anglin originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA. 
Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.
Vol.11. No 1.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk 




Friday 25 December 2015

Merry Christmas to all our Readers.




Merry Christmas
&
 Healthy and Prosperous
New Year

to all our readers.

                                         

         The blind stamped, tooled and gilt cover of The Sportman's Directory and Park &                                   Gamekeeper's Companion by John Mayer. 6th edition, 1838.
                                                Authors Collection
................................................................................................
                                                     
Throughout these blogs we have endeavoured to accredit all those who have kindly forwarded material. However, many have chosen to remain anonymous.

Therefore, we take this opportunity to give special thanks for the support by fellow collectors,dealers and students.

In addition, a big thank you to all the museums, libraries and their staff.

As a reader you are part of a global audience that includes: Canada, U.S.A.,Australia,
New Zealand,Japan, China, Hong Kong, Russia,Ukraine, Spain, France,Germany,Poland,
Indonesia, Ireland, England,Scotland,Wales and growing everyday!


                                We look forward to a busy and informative 2016.

                                          Merry Christmas to all.

                                   Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Thursday 24 December 2015

Samuel Wallace: Gunmaker.



Samuel Wallace
Gunmaker
Dublin
1782-1798



SAMUEL WALLACE

A pair of silver-mounted flintlock duelling pistols by Samuel Wallace, Dublin. Browned twist sighted octagonal 11 inch barrels of 22 bore signed in gold on top flats, Wallace – Dublin, with engraved tangs and breeches, gold vents, crowned P & V proof marks and makers SW mark. The stepped locks are engraved at the tail and signed Wallace, fitted with set triggers and sliding safeties, swan necked cocks and semi-waterproof pans. The full length walnut stocks are mounted in silver with full Irish hallmarks for 1788 and the maker’s mark of Thomas Jones. These comprise trigger guards with acorn finials and applied spurs, butt caps with engraved decoration en-suite, urn shaped Adam style side-plates and barrel bolt escutcheons, plain ramrod pipes and oval thumb pieces engraved with a crest comprising a flaming torch or brazier and the initial “T”. The pistols are fitted with whalebone ramrods with ivory thimbles and worms.


NB These pistols bear a strong resemblance to the pair by Rigby shown in Colour Plate 5 facing page 83 of John Atkinson’s book “Duelling Pistols”. The mounts are by the same maker, Thomas Jones, and are date marked for the same year. The interior decoration of the locks is engraved in the same fashion and (I think) bear the same lockmakers’s mark.
...................................................................................................................

Our sincere thanks to the owner of the above superb pair of Wallace
duelling pistols and the detailed description.

Samuel Wallace trades directory entry for 1790.

Blackwell William 2 Gt Ship St
Clarke Nicholas 43 Capel St
Devine  Thomas 194 Abbey St.
Dixon Thomas 32 Upp' Kevin St
Eames James 57 s. King St
Edwards William Palace St
Gray John 21 Lwr Exchange St
Hutchinson Michael 8 Dame St
Marshal Thomas 4 Barrack St
Morton William 28 Castle St
Muley Daniel 44 Gt Ship St
Powell Benjamin 159 Abbey St
Rainsford James 102 Grafton St
Rigby John 19 Suffolk St
Tomlinson Robert 123 Capel St
Trulock Thomas 12 Barrack St
Wallace Samuel 22 Eustace St


Additional information relating to this gunmaker please refer to our blog: 7/10/2015. 

Samuel Wallace originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA. 
Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.
Vol.11. No 1.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk




Wednesday 23 December 2015

Trulock & Harriss 1854-1897





Trulock & Harriss
Gun & Rifle Manufacturers
9 Dawson Street
Dublin
1854-1897


                    Address label for Trulock & Harriss, 9 Dawson Street, Dublin. Dated 1895.

The name Truelock/Trulock has been associated with the Dublin guntrade since the early 18th century. Over the coming blogs we will try to unravel what is a long and complex family history.

Below is the 1854 trades directory entry following the change from E. Trulock & Son.(1843-1853) The directory having re-introduced the "e" in Truelock and omitting the second "s" in Harriss

1854 Trades directory.
         
Calderwood James 22 Duke Street
Calderwood Thomas. 14 Earl Street N.
Clarke William 207 Britain Street. Gt.
Dowling Henry 67 Dame Street
Dowling William 31 Bishop Street
Kavanagh James 12 Dame Street
Kavanagh William junior 12 Dame Street
Parkinson John 17 Arran Quay
Rigby William & John 24 Suffolk Street
Truelock & Harris
9 Dawson Street
Turner Thomas. 6 King Street. N.
Walsh John 29 Ormond Quay. Upper
    
          Please refer to earlier blog of 29/9/2015 & 6/9/2015.

Additional blogs on this prolific company to follow.

We are always pleased to receive information related to this company.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk
  

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Mrs Mills Gunmaker


Mrs Mills

Gunmaker

Limerick

(Widow of John Mills)


                  Flintlock brass barrelled blunderbuss lockplate engraved " Mrs Mills" 
                                     Photography courtesy of Rex Pope.



                                    Mills of Limerick approximate trading dates:

                                                    John Mills circa 1779

                                               Mrs Mills  (widow) circa 1780.



                                        Mills, Limerick blunderbuss registered under  
                                         the 1843 Registration Act in County Clare 
                                                                  (CL 28)
                                                 Photography courtesy Rex Pope.   

 Women played a very large role in the guntrade in the 18th and 19th centuries as can be seen
 from  our  blog dated 11/9/2015.  A previously written article "The Lady Gunmakers" is
 available from  the author on request. Published by CAAM.

John Mills originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA. 
Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.
Vol.11. No 1.

We are always interested to know of or receive information related to gunmakers of Limerick.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Monday 21 December 2015

Armagh County: 1843 Registration Act .

The Irish Registration Act of 1843

                          Schedule B.,6&7 Vic.,Cap.74,Sec 3.
                                    Licence to Keep Arms.

                                         County Armagh.



The following entries have been collected over a number years by myself, fellow collectors
and dealers. In total over 1100 registrations from the 40 areas have been collated which is a
very small sample of the 300.000 weapons the authorities had calculated were in circulation
in private hands at this time.

The list below gives all those weapons found registered in County Armagh between
1843-1846. Listed are the county prefix, licence number, description of weapon/s and where
possible the maker/retailer.

             
AR 56
Flk Brownbess Musket
M&J Pattison
AR 74
Flk Shotgun. 10 bore . Converted Drum & Nipple.
Gilroy
AR 939
Flk Rifled Carbine
Pepper
AR 945
Percussion Boxlock Side Hammer Pistol
M&J Pattison
AR 1285
Flk Brownbess Musket

AR 1630
Flk Blunderbuss.

AR 1660
Flk Steel Barrelled Coaching Carbine

AR 1998
Flk Musketoon
Trulock
AR 2309/2310
22 Bore Pair of Duelling Pistols.
Nicholas Clarke
AR 2526
Brownbess

AR 2563
India Pattern Brownbess.

AR 2715/2716
Pair Flk Duelling Pistols. 10" Barrels. Fullerd (WF).
John Blanch
AR 2721
Flk India Pattern Brownbess.

AR 3000
Brownbess. 42"
R.Wilson
AR 3183
India Pattern Brownbess. Butt Plate Only. 

AR 3963
Description Withheld by Owner.
Siddons
AR 3963
Flk India Pattern Brownbess. 38.5" Barrel

AR 4178
Flk Pocket Pistol
W.Cole
AR 4582
Pair Flk Four Barrel Pistols Cased.
Knubley
AR 4655
Flk Large Bore Steel Barrelled Blunderbuss.

AR 5416
Pair Flk Duelling Pistols.
Rigby
AR 5431
Flk India Pattern Musket. Rare .750.  4oth Reg Foot

AR 5458
Converted Brownbess.

AR 5825
Military Style Musket . Converted

AR 5895
Converted Blunderbuss.
Staples ?
AR 5950
Converted Long Barrelled Sporting Gun. C.1770.

AR 6216
Brownbess. India Pattern. "JA15"

AR 6279
Flk Brownbess Musket

AR 6348
Brownbess Musket. Converted

AR 6337
Flk India Pattern Brownbess. East Devon Militia.
Tower
AR 6559
New Land Pattern Brownbess.Converted.
Samuel Hoy
AR 6654
India Pattern Brownbess.

AR 6677
Brownbess India Pattern. Converted

AR 7154
India Pattern Brownbess..

AR 7237
Percussion. 3 Barrelled Pistol
W & J Rigby
AR 7306
Brownbess India Pattern. Seago C8.

AR 7316
Brownbess. India Pattern Seago Volunteer.

AR 7884
Flk Boxlock Pocket Pistol. 50 bore
Spencer
AR 8043
Flk Brass Barrelled Blunderbuss. "RT" Rectangle MakersMark.
Robert Tomlinson.
AR 8986
16 Bore Brass Barrelled Travelling Pistol

AR 9161
India Pattern Brownbess.


Of note in this selection of weaponry are the India Pattern Brownbess Muskets. These being
held by volunteer/militia regiments. All regular army issue weapons being exempt from the Act. 

Another interesting fact from this whole survey is the average volumes of weaponry for each area.
The six counties averaging 10668* weapons per county whereas across the other 33
counties/boroughs the average volumes drop to a meager 3808.* 

Please refer to earlier related blogs: 28/11/2015,
                                                    18/11/2015
                                                    21/10/2015
                                                    10/ 9/ 2015

* Based on existing data.



                                                                                                                                                        9157
                        
                                 
         We are always pleased to know of weapons registered in                      County Armagh or any of the other 39 areas.

                            Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk