Walter "Watty" Cox. Dublin

Walter "Watty" Cox

Gunmaker/Journalist/Dramatist.

United Irishman?

                                                                      Bedford Row

                                                                         Dublin

                                                                     1793 -1797

                                               (This blog is written as a correction)

In the long and distant past I wrote an article regarding this gunmaker and in error 

referred to him as being William "Watty" Cox of Waterford. William Cox of Waterford 
did trade as a gunmaker and we will revisit him in a later blog.

Following further research and a plethora of new information now available

online regarding Walter "Watty" Cox.  I am now pleased to rectify this error and offer my apologies.

                              Advertisement placed announcing the termination of the

                "Firm" or "Partnership" between Charles Meredith and Walter Cox,

                                         Gunmakers. Dated 25th September 1793.

It is now obvious why Charles Meredith distanced himself from his 

one time business associate,  as Walter "Watty"Cox was an outspoken 

United Irishman and Editor of the clandestine broadsheet the Union Star.

As can be seen by Walter Cox's trading dates he was banished from Ireland

just prior to the rebellion. His later history can be read in the links below.

A very interesting character and one who tested the patience of the British Government but was too useful to dispense with! Document: PRO HO/100/75/F189-190* a letter written on the 10th March 1798 by British agent, Cooke and sent to Mr Wickham at Dublin Castle,  just shows the level of treachery that Cox undertook. A very intelligent and calculating man who would be pardoned, pensioned-off and sent to foreign fields for sending many of his associates to the gallows.

Transcript of the letter below.

NB: This letter originally written in Cooke's hand was difficult to decipher and certain
words were illegible.

We would be pleased to hear from any fellow collectors who own Pistols/Guns produced by Walter "Watty" Cox and marked to Dublin. 

 Links: Re: Walter "Watty" Cox:

http://www.mocavo.co.uk/The-United-Irishmen-Their-Lives-and-Times-3/496664/473

[IRELAND] Walter COX ("Watty") - c. 1760-1837 - Archiver

* The Year of Liberty by Thomas Pakenham Hodder & Stoughton . 1969.

Our sincere thanks for the above links.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

James Clealand Arms Lost.

Arms Lost

James Clealand
Captain Newtownards Infantry

Advertisement from the Belfast Newsletter dated June 1798.

The significance of this advertisement is that these arms were stolen at the height of the Rebellion. (May-September 1798)

Two gunmakers are noted:

1/ William Herriot of Edinburgh who had produced a Fowling Piece with gold touch-hole.

2/ Henry Nock of London, he having made a double barrelled pistol with barrels about three inches long and marked 3 & 4.

In addition, a very good description of a Small Sword also lost!

For those interested in the further reading on the Rebellion of 1798 we would advise:
The Year of Liberty, The Great Irish Rebellion of 1798 by Thomas Pakenham, Hodder & Stoughton, 1969. 

This richly researched book will be quoted regularly in these blogs.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Wm & Jn Rigby Serial 9341

Wm & Jn Rigby

Featured Pistol

Six Shot Revolver

Serial No 9341

Wm & Jn Rigby   60 bore 6 shot revolver. ( photography courtesy A. Iosson)

                                     
William & John Rigby were involved in the production of this type of revolver for a period of
15 years. The first being sold in 1843 (serial no 9029).  In total the Rigby register* shows only 152
having been manufactured and sold.  However, examples have been found unnumbered which leads us to believe they were manufactured under contract or under licence by other Dublin gunmakers associated with the Rigby house.

In the Dublin trade directory of 1835 no less than 9 gunmakers listed were ex employees of the Rigby's. All these gunmakers would have been trained to a very high level and this is where Rigby could place work when his production levels dictated. No doubt Ribgy supplying the parts
from his 24 Suffolk Street manufactory.

		Dublin Trade Directory 1835
	Anglin	Joseph		Bath Street, Irishtown.		#	ex Rigby
	Aston	John		44 Gt Brunswick Street		#	ex Rigby
	Calderwood	Thomas		14 Earl Street.N. to Lord lieutenant.
	Dempsey	William		192 Gt Britain Street
	Devine	James		Howth
	Flanagan	Martin		Sea View. Irishtown		#	ex Rigby
	Gallagher	Henry		207 Gt Britain Street
	Hanson	Charles		36 Grangegorman Lane.
	Harris	Henry		Sandymount Ave		#	Ex Rigby
	Kavanagh	William		4 Ormond Quay
	Lanigan	John		14 College Green
	Mc Laughlin	Edward		9 Bolton	Street	#	ex Rigby
	Murphy			190 Britain Street		Gun Barrel
	O'Flanaghan	Francis		10 Erne Street
	Parkinson	John		19 Arran Quay
	Pattison	Mark & John		17 Crampton Court
	Pepper	George		25 Capel Street
	Quinlan	Thomas		1 Kelly's Court		#	ex Rigby
	Rigby	William & John		24 Suffolk Street. Shooting Gallery		#
	Ryder	Thomas		Seafield. Sandymount. Armourer to the pigeon House.
	Smith	George		Bath Street, Irishtown.		#	ex Rigby
	Truelock	William & Son		9 Dawson Street
	Tuite	Richard		Sea View. Irishtown		#	Ex Rigby
	Wilson	James		43 New Row, Thomas Street.
	Willett	Robert		Bath Street, Irishtown.		#	Ex Rigby

            Wm & Jn Rigby Revolver No 9341. Removable nipple shield (two screws). 1844.
                                                  (Photography courtesy A. Iosson)

The above model being one of the first batch sold has a two piece grip (common). The rarer model having a single piece grip.
In addition, the above model has a detachable nipple shield with two screws. Later pistols are found with integral nipple shields or alternatively removable nipple shields with three screws.

Of the 152 revolvers listed in the Rigby Register*, 54 were sold cased with all accoutrements
including the brass shot measure at a cost of 12 guineas each.

We are always interested in knowing of serial numbered Pepperbox Revolvers manufactured by the Rigby house or those produced by their associate Dublin houses.

The above notes are a condensed version of an article written for the Bisley Antique & Classic Arms Fair in October 2014. This article available on request.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

*Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby.

Thomas Boyd Gunmaker.

Thomas Boyd
Gunmaker

Limerick

A Pair of Percussion Duelling Pistols by John Silk (c1800-1805) , converted to percussion by 

Thomas James Boyd. c.1830.

Original Photography courtesy Wallis & Wallis Sale no.221, June 1976.

Thomas Boyd/Thomas James Boyd approximate trading dates:

 Thomas Boyd                                          1821- 1824        15 Rutland Street

 Thomas James Boyd.                             1838-1840               George Street

 Thomas James Boyd 1840-1846.          1840-1846         25  Patrick Street                                                                                                  

Gunmaker's trade/cards are extremely rare for the county of Limerick. The above picture is  a very poor photocopy of this trade card but so rare are these labels that it was thought worthwhile sharing.

 We are always keen to see or buy Limerick trade cards/labels. 

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk.

John McCormick/Thomas McQuiod

A Fowling Piece.

John McCormick & Thomas Mc Quoid.

Gunsmiths.

                                             Advertisement placed in January 1773. 

As we can see from the above advertisement John McCormick made fowling pieces with left handed locks! The one in this advertisement "almost new". Obviously a very highly prized possession as the owner (Roger McClea?) was offering half a guinea reward for its safe return. Interestingly, another gunsmith Thomas McQuoid of Newtownards is also quoted as a contact.

"Stolen and Mislaid" advertisements were common at this time. Sometimes listed as "Lost" or "Strayed". Especially where livestock was concerned. Many other items appear in these listings
but unsurprisingly stolen/mislaid guns and pistols were regularly sought.

Check out our blog for 17/9/2015. Peter Vickers, Gunmaker


Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

John Rigby & Co.. Gunmakers

    John Rigby & Co..

                                           Gunmakers

24 Suffolk Street, Dublin 1869-1898

                       72 St James Street, London.    1866-1911.                                      

     

An address label for Trulock Harriss & Richardson Ltd.. detailing the incorporation of John Rigby and Co..

The Dublin side of John Rigby & Co., was incorporated into Trulock, Harriss and Richardson Ltd in 1898.

For additional information on John Rigby please refer to our earlier blog dated  20/10/2015 and
Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby by D.H.L Back.

For additional data on John Rigby & Co; Please refer to the attached link.

http://www.johnrigbyandco.com/history.html

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Michael Loughlan. Gun Manufactory.

Michael Loughlan

Gun Manufactory

North Main Street

Youghal

Advertisement in the Guy's Directory of 1875/76.

                         Double Barrelled Sporting Gun by Michael Loughlan. Private Collection.


To make our work a little harder the directory listed as below spelling the surname
"Loughlin" (sic).

Guy's Directory 1875/76.

GUN MAKERS. Loughlin Michael (gun factory, lawn tennis & cricket bat manufacturer), North Main Street.

Michael Loughlan was, as so many artisans of their day, multi skilled and in his case operating in three differing market places. We have no definite dates for this operation and research is ongoing.

We are always interested in any material on this Youghal company.

Dave Stroud. R.A..

Alexander Armstrong. Merchant

Alexander Armstrong

Merchant

High Street

Belfast

                       Advertisement from the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd September 1774.

 The Belfast gunmaker's in the last quarter of the 18th century were not only finding it difficult to compete with the Dublin trade, as can be seen...  but the importation of weaponry from England was yet another problem!

We are always interested in small snippets of information related to the early Irish guntrade.

Dave Stroud . ramrodantiques.co.uk

T.W.Murray & Co Ltd.. Cartridges

T.W Murray & Co Ltd

87 Patrick Street

Cork

                               An Early Cartridge Box Advertising T.W Murray & Co Ltd. 
                                                  Photography courtesy Mark O'Brien.

In due course we will add further history relating to T.W. Murray & Co Ltd., and in addition more details relating to cartridges sold in Ireland.

We are always keen to obtain early cartridge boxes retailed by Irish gunmakers or any advertising material so related. Oil bottles, powder tins, loading tools of any description. Gun & Pistol boxes/cases.

Dave Stroud ramrodantiques.co.uk

William Cole, Gunmaker, Belfast.

William Cole

Gunmaker

Belfast

William Cole Lock.  

                  William Cole notifying his clients of his change of address in 1818.

Trading Dates and addresses:
Cole,William Belfast Antrim 1811-1818         Ann Street Cole,William Belfast Antrim 1818              49 Castle Street Cole,William Belfast Antrim 1820/1824 7 Hercules Street Cole,William Belfast Antrim 1837/38         1 Hercules Place Notes: William Cole was possibly trained by John Gardner, Gunmaker, Ann Street, Belfast. Gardner's name appears with other spellings i.e., Gardener and Gardiner. John Gardner and William Cole were in partnership for a small period and guns can be found marked.  " Gardner & Cole" The period at 49 Castle Street appears a very temporary location. This in all probability due to fact that William  Cole was undertaking a major investment at 7 Hercules Street. As we have expressed in previous blogs it would appear that not only was the street renamed but the number altered also to No1 Hercules Place. William Cole was a major manufacturer in Belfast and barrels found marked "WC" are possibly of his manufacture? William Cole ultimately sold out to Joseph Braddell in c.1838. Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Early Gun Controls in Ireland

The Cartoonist's were always quick to bring news of the troubles in Ireland

and in the above example John Leech ( Half Irish) draws the picture of the unruly state of the counties in Ireland where weapons were  perceived to be readily available to all. 

In reality the reverse was true as private ownership of guns in Ireland carried certain restrictions and licences were issued from as early as the late 17th century and continued throughout the 18th and 19th centuries culminating in the infamous Registration Act of 1843.

It was estimated in 1840 that there were three hundred thousand weapons in private hands and with the ongoing unrest the Government thought it prudent to licence them and in addition brand them with the county prefix and the licence number.

This they did over a period of two years. Lord John Russell being responsible for guiding this legislation through the House of Commons. The licenses being issued at the Petty Sessions and the branding implemented at the various Police Barracks where the presses were situated.

Examples:



Co: South Tipperary Registration ST 3779








Co: Clare Registration CL 28 

Co: Cavan Registration C-N 5038

Co: Offaly ( Kings) 1 KS 55






Kings County ( Offaly) were unique in branding their weapons, as they added a prefix to the county by way of indicating to total number of guns on the said licence. In the case above it was a single weapon on licence (1) KS 55.

For further details please refer to our blog of  10/9/2015.

We are always interested in being notified of any weapons you may own that were registered under this Act.

Dave Stroud. R.A..

John Rigby. Gunmaker.

John Rigby

Gunmaker

19 Suffolk Street

Dublin.

                                                 John Rigby: His first trade label?

John Rigby first appears in the Dublin trade directory for 1784 and trading from 14 College Green.
Who trained Rigby is unclear but any one of the eminent gunmakers from the 1774 directory list below are candidates. D.H.L Back in "Great Irish Gunmakers Messr's Rigby" cites Edward Dalton or Thomas Truelock as possibilities.

In our experience a major event normally induces change and the fact that Lewis Alley, Gunmaker of 2 Palace Street was killed in 1783 following a fall from his horse could just be that catalyst?
John Rigby, if in Lewis Alley's employ , could have made the decision to trade in his own right?

John Rigby, it is unlikely that he produced a trade label for the 14 College Green address as he only traded there,in his own right, for a period of a year. (Directory evidence only) We have evidence of his move to 19 Suffolk Street in 1784 below. The registers for John Rigby as printed through D.H.L Back's publication "Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby" lists less than ten weapons attributed to John Rigby for the period 1781-1783?*

These weapons could just be his first weapons produced in the Rigby name although still under the employ of his master, whoever that was?

Research on-going.

This advert is full of interesting details. The fact that he underwent a ten year training. Meaning he entered the trade in circa 1774.... and that he worked with the masters of the trade. Implying more than one.

          Dublin Gunmakers listed for 
                          1774
 

	Alley	Lewis		Gt Ship St
	Dalton	Edward		College Green
	Devine	Thomas		Abbey St
	Gelous	Robert		Francis st
	Govers	John		Dame St
	Lord & Hutchinson			Dame st
	Rainsford	James		Dame st
	Thorp	Thomas		Darby Sq
	Truelock	Thomas		Dame st
	Wheeler	Oliver		Fade St

John Rigby is proud to state: " Real Irish Manufacture" and "Equal to any made in London"

The Rigby's would rise to be the most respected gunmaker's not only in Dublin but internationally.
Whether for rifle manufacture, rifle shooting or more importantly for the excellence of their production from the earliest period of John Rigby's career. William, his son, continued the work of his father and following through the generations Williams son ,John would go on to be Superintendent of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Enfield.

For further reading on the Rigby family of gunmaker's please refer to David H. L. Back's book  Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby . An absolute must read and more importantly a reference work to cherish.

Finding a copy of this long out of print work is difficult. If you see a copy for sale buy it. If not let us know and we will!!!

Needless to say the Rigby name will feature regularly throughout these blogs purely because
the influence they had on the Irish guntrade was so immense.

Should you have any additional data on the early activity of John Rigby we would be pleased to hear from you.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

* See Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby by D.H.L.Back.

Coaching. Royal Mail.Cork.

Royal Mail-Coach Office.

Patrick Street

Cork

Advert from March 1803

The above timetable is a fabulous glimpse into the early growth of written communication, commercial links and the ever need for security.  " with a double guard".

All good business opportunities for the Cork, Dublin & Limerick guntrade.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Henry Dowling: Gunmaker

Henry Dowling

Gunmaker 

67 Dame Street

Dublin

Henry Dowling Trade Label circa 1865. 

Trading dates for Henry Dowling.

Dowling ?                      Fownes's Street, Dublin.  1840
Dowling, Henry.       78 Dame Street, Dublin        1838-1844
Dowling, Henry        66 Dame Street  Dublin        1845-1848
Dowling, Henry        67 Dame Street, Dublin        1849-1875.

So important was the trading address of Dame Street that retailers and artisans would, if unable to rent a property within Dame Street, move into the adjacent streets. Fownes's Street being a case in point. Another gunmaker John Alley stated on his trade label and advertisements that he was located at 19 Fownes's Street " within two doors of Dame Street". 

The dates are confusing here but it was probably a case where Dowling had an interest in both Fownes's Street and Dame Street between 1838-1840?  While he traded in Dame Street we doubt he ever moved. These are probably door number changes so prevalent at this time.

Henry Dowling and John Parkinson are mentioned in the link below:

  

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=DSC18700307.2.42

Our appreciation to the above link.

We are always interested in any snippets of information relating to the early Irish guntrade.

Dave Stroud. R.A.

Wm Kavanagh Jnr. 11 Dame Street.

William Kavanagh Jnr
Gunmaker

11 Dame Street

Dublin

William Kavanagh jnr first appears in the trade directory of 1840 and  continues his listing through to 1849.

Thereafter, he is shown as trading from 12 Dame Street until 1863.

We have previously mentioned the fact that with the expansion of the city of Dublin this led to door number changes and here is another example. i.e., 11 to 12 Dame Street.

In addition, the Kavanagh family were also located at 4 Ormond Quay (Upper/Lower)

during the above period. There is some confusion over Upper & Lower as the Kavanagh's have been quoted as trading at both!(Directory). Contemporary confusion arising, no doubt, owing to Ormond Quay being flat!! 

William Kavanagh Jun.r Trade Card/Label (1840-1849). 11 Dame Street.

William Kavanagh Jnr's marriage certificate. 10th March 1859


Link to previous article related to above:

http://www.mlagb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/201201_cavanagh.pdf


We are always pleased to receive information on the Kavanagh dynasty of gunmakers.

Dave Stroud. R.A..

W&J Rigby:Featured Pistol No 8636

Wm & Jn  Rigby

24 Suffolk Street

Dublin

    Featured Pistol No 8636.

                          W&J Rigby Percussion Holster Pistol. Private Collection.

This featured pistol is one of a pair sold to Mr McKemp in 1840*. It has a nine inch barrel with captive ramrod and has a bore size of 16 to the pound*.  It is serial numbered 8636. The number being stamped on the underside of the barrel.  The standard backaction lock with fishtail termination with inset steel butt cap so synonymous with the Rigby house.

* Information courtesy of Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby by D.H.L.Back.

Barrel octagonal to round. Platinum breech plug.

Platinum twin lined breech showing "fingerprint" etching to barrel.

Trade label for Wm & Jn Rigby circa 1840. 

We are always pleased to feature numbered Rigby pistols.

Dave Stroud. R.A..

Robert McCormick: Gunmaker.

Robert Mc Cormick

Gunmaker

Belfast & Dublin

Robert McCormick Sporting Gun Serial No 239 for 1796. Photography courtesy Geoff Walker.

Breech of sporting gun serial no 239 for 1796 by Robert Mc Cormick 

showing proof and makers mark RMC. Photograph courtesy Geoff Walker.

In a previous blog dated 3rd September 2015 we detailed Robert McCormick's serial numbered duelling pistols.

Following his move from Belfast to Dublin on the 1st November 1794, Robert McCormick was in March of the following year still trying to tie-up the loose ends of his Belfast operation.

We would be pleased to hear from anyone with serial numbered pistols / guns manufactured by this eminent Belfast & Dublin gunmaker.

Dave Stroud. R.A..

Wm Morton & Son.Limerick.

 William Morton & Son
Ellen Street & Patrick Street
Limerick

Advertisement from the Limerick City Directory of 1879.

The Limerick trade directories are very short in supply and therefore the dates below are far from finite but a good guide.

Morton & Son Limerick -1870- 2 Ellen Street. Morton,W & Son. Limerick 1875-1894 17 Patrick Street.
We are always interested in an information relating to Limerick gunmakers. Dave Stroud.R.A..

Martin Kelly:Merchant.

Martin Kelly & Son

Merchant

56 Lower Sackville Street

Dublin

Advertisement from Dublin Evening Post, January 26th 1826. 

The above advertisement highlights the strong link between Dublin and London. 

Martin Kelly having received his second consignment of " Manton Patent Silver Shot" via the Phebe.

Colonel Peter Hawkers title "Instructions to Young Sportsmen" of 1814 was a ground breaking title of its day. More importantly this title, which went through 11 editions,  from 1814 -1859 is 

a fabulous piece of social history to anyone absorbed in the romance of shooting in the early 19th century. 

Mr Joseph Manton's Patent Silver Shot  

As described by Hawker in the 4th edition of his work.

Instructions to Young Sportsmen by Col.Peter Hawker. 1825.

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=YVYDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA278&lpg=PA278&dq=MANTONS+PATENT+SILVER+SHOT&source=bl&ots=qywpCg24d9&sig=_jH6vO7Elq2HJh-mQ2eGI4l

The above link takes you to the publication of Charles Holtzapffel (1843) who describes the process of lining lead shot with mercury.

Our thanks to the above link.

Dave Stroud R.A..

Wm & Jn Rigby.19 Suffolk Street.

Wm & Jn Rigby
Gun & Pistol Manufactory
19 Suffolk Street
Dublin

A Wm & Jn Rigby trade label for the period (1826-1830) following John Rigby jnr  (brother) introduction to the business. This format of label was also used for Rigby & Son  (1817-1818). Therefore, it is highly likely that this style of label will be found headed Wm Rigby only, for the period (1818-1825)?

In a future blog we will highlight the earliest known trade label attributed to John Rigby.

Dave Stroud. R.A..

John Parkinson:Gunmaker.

John Parkinson

Gunmaker

Arran Quay

Dublin

                                         Trade Label for John Parkinson circa 1845. Private Collection.


John Parkinson first appears in the Dublin trade directory of 1826, where he is listed in error as Parkins (sic).  This business traded in Arran Quay from the around 1825 through to 1916.
As with so many establishments during this period the expansion of the city of Dublin led to door number changes and we doubt if Parkinson ever moved?

John Parkinson Trading Dates:

1823/1824	59 Prussia Street
1825-1833	22 Arran Quay
1834-1844	19 Arran Quay
1845-1916	17 Arran Quay

In this label Parkinson states: "Manufactures Guns of Every Description on the most approved principles under his own inspection equal to any of the best London work". " Gunpowder freshly imported". "Bristol & Chester Shot".

The other interesting aspect of this trade label is the fact that this just predates the Great Exhibition of 1851, where the pinfire breech loader totally revolutionized the guntrade. This label being one of the last of the true muzzle loading era.

We are always looking to purchase original Irish gunmakers trade cards/labels.

Best Prices Paid.

Dave Stroud. R.A..

Early 19th Century Gun, Pistol & Weaponry Registry in Ireland.

     Early 19th Century Gun,Pistol,Blunderbuss,Sword & Bayonet Registration in Ireland.
County Cavan.

Sample from the Barony of Clonmahon, Cavan showing weapons in circulation 1830-1832


The above register covering the period 1830-1832 just highlights the lengths the Government was undertaking in order to gauge the levels of weaponry in circulation throughout the troubled counties of Ireland.

Following the Rebellion of 1798 various laws were passed in an attempt to control the arms in circulation and this culminated in the 1843 Registration Act which led to the "Branding" of weapons by County or Borough.

We are always pleased to know of weapons registered under the 1843 Act.

Dave Stroud R.A..

The Duke of Wellington & Duelling.

Wellington presented duelling pistols

                                       Punch Magazine comment and cartoon from 1844.

The Duke of Wellington and Lord Wilchilsea met on Battersea Fields, London on 21st March 1829.
Both men exchanged fire to no effect. Refer: Duelling Pistols by John A. Atkinson. Page 137.

The above magazine clip drawing attention to the ongoing debate regarding the military supporting the right for a "Gentlemen" to "call out" an opponent. The above case perceived by many civilians to be the "murder" of Lieut- Colonel David Lynar Fawcett,  who was shot by his brother-in-law, Lieut-Alexander Thompson Munro following a duel fought in Camden Town, London on 1st July 1843.
Refer: Duelling Pistols by John A. Atkinson. Page 129.

The above presentation being an opportunity for the military to express their gratitude for the support
availed by the Duke of Wellington in retaining all the known participants, in this case, on the Army List and one suspects on full pay?

The Duke of Wellington being one the most famous Irishmen to have duelled.

The aforementioned publication by John A. Atkinson is a classic title and indispensable
reference work.

An earlier pair of duelling pistols presented to the Duke of Wellington can be seen in the link below.
http://www.peashooter85.com/post/75275497913/the-duke-of-wellingtons-dueling-pistols-pair-of

Our thanks for the above link and references.

Dave Stroud. R.A..