Pigou & Wilks : Counterfeiting!

Counterfeiting Continued!

Pigou and Wilks

Dartford

Gunpowder

In yesterday's blog we looked at the problem F. Joyce were experiencing with respect to their name being applied to counterfeit powders etc.. and these items being offered in Ireland.

In this advertisement placed in September 1833, a year earlier than F. Joyce's complaint ( yesterdays blog).. we find Pigou and Wilks, manufacturers of Dartford Gunpowder having uncovered the fact that not only were spurious gunpowders being sold as theirs but the labels attached were copies and this had meant a re-design of the said label in order to make counterfeiting more difficult!

In addition, Pigou & Wilks had taken this issue to law and that in future all Importers would  be licensed annually.

Advertisement from the Cork Evening Herald, September, 1833.

The above list of importers are predominately merchants but two gunmaker's are noted, namely

Joseph Bowles of Cork and William Richardson of Limerick. 

Bowls found with differing spellings.

I have an article being published in the Classic Arms & Armour Magazine this October which looks at Joseph Bowles/Bowls and other Early Corke Gunmaker's in some depth.

We are always pleased to know of any snippets of information relating to the Irish guntrade.

Dave Stroud. R.A..