Farrell McDermott.

  Farrell  McDermott 

1 Abbey Street

Dublin

Duelling Pistols
c.1825

A pair of percussion duelling pistols made c.1825 for 

George Bury Esq. Cott.

McDermott half stocked percussion duelling pistols with 11.75" octagonal sighted barrels. 

Many duelling pistols for this period were made in that transitional period where

flintlock parts such as side plates and barrels were altered and adapted to use the "new" detonating system. The large nipple bolsters on these pistols sitting in the pan location. The typically Irish wide collar percussion hammers sitting just proud of the fences. The 11.75" Barrels would have originally been more suited for use with the flintlock ignition where the ignition of the powder was slower and the extra length to the barrel gave time for the powder to burn and develop maximum pressure.

Lt Col. Peter Hawker in:  Instructions to Young Sportsmen, 4th ed 1825., 5th ed., 1826 & 6th ed., .,1830 , relates a very contemporary view of the new "detonating system" and also discusses the benefits and draw backs of both ignition systems and emphasises the importance of correct barrel boring to suit.

The above volumes are very informative read and insight into the workings of the UK gun trade in the early part of the nineteenth century.

   

Copper & Brass Powder Flask engraved to the owner George Bury Esqr Cott?

To date it has not been possible to find the meaning of "Cott"? Any ideas would be gratefully received.

                Powder Flask and Escutcheon engraved to the owner. George Bury Esqr.. Cott?


Dublin trades directory entry for Farrel McDermott, 1825.

Calderwood	Thomas		14 N. Earl St
Dempsey	William		192 Gt Britain St
Fowler	Thomas		33 Capel St
Gallagher	Henry		206 Gt Britain St
Gray	John		46 Moore St
Herbert	John		17 Phoenix St
Kavanagh	William		Upp Ormond Quay
Mc Dermott	Farrell		1 Abbey St
Muley	Daniel		32 Townsend St
Murphy	John		190 Gt Britain St
Pattison	John		157 Capel St
Rigby	William		19 Suffolk St
Ryan	Michael		15 Fishamble St
Truelock	Thomas		50 Barrack St
Truelock	William & Son		152 Capel St
Turner	George		154 Capel St
Wilson	James		43 w. New Row.

Note;

Charles William George Bury, 2nd Earl of Charleville. Family seat Charleville Forest, County
Offaly, Ireland.

Our sincere thanks to Michael F. Carrick for photography and details relating to this superb pair of McDermott duelling pistols.

Farrell McDermott originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA. 

Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.

Vol.11. No 1.

  Dave Stroud.  ramrodantiques.co.uk