Edward Dalton Gun Smith.

Edward Dalton
Gun Smith
Dublin

                                                            and a separated pair!         

The 18th century pair of pistols featured in this blog were made by this top quality gunsmith who traded within College Green, Dublin. Edward Dalton spared no cost when making these pistols. He lavished them both with gold washed pans, gold breech plugs and fore sights. Adorned them with top quality silver mounts and must have sold them to a wealthy client who would have cherished them. All the aforementioned would have occurred around 1775 when the Dublin guntrade was in expansion mode.  

Of one thing we can be certain, these pistol were together in Cork City between 1843-1846 when the 1843 Registration Act was in force. This also being the time of the famine and diaspora when thousands fled the starvation and injustices that prevailed at this time in Ireland.

This pistol, CB 1642,  may have accompanied one of those optimistic souls that took the long and fever ridden trip to the other side of the world. Conversely the pistol may have been purchased by a collector and taken to Australia much later? 

The Edward Dalton Silver Mounted Holster Pistol. CB 1642.                                              Location

                                         Australia.

       Right side showing lockplate, replacement swan-neck cock and cross-bolt escutcheons. 

                                                      Left side showing pierced silver reverse plate.   

Pierced silver reverse plate with two retaining screws.

 

                                Maker and proof marks unfortunately gold picked. 

                                    Barrel engraved " Dublin" and stamped "CB-1642"

                                           Engraved top tang and false breech.

The above Edward Dalton Silver Mounted Holster Pistol CB 1642 was sold by AAA in Australia. 1st May 2016. Lot 485. Hammer Price A$ 4250. + Commission.

The Edward Dalton Silver Mounted Holster Pistol. CB 1641                                                   Location 

                                            England.

Edward Dalton silver mounted holster pistol with original pigeon breasted cock. Stepped lock and ramped frizzen spring. Gold removed from the pan. Gold breech plug.

                         Reverse side. Barrel retained by two cross-bolts with no escutcheons.

                            Beautifully pierced silver reverse plate retained by two screws.

                            Proof and makers marks unfortunately having had the gold picked.

                                               Cork Borough Registration . CB-1641.

                                                       Top tang & false breech 

                                     Rose engraved silver trigger guard and acorn finial.

                                                     Silver chased butt pommel.

                                                Silver butt cap with long spurs.

                                                      Vacant silver stock escutcheon 


                                     Known trading dates and addresses:

Dalton,Edward	1772-1782	46 College Street
Dalton,Edward	1783	157 Dawson St.

Edward Dalton originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA. 

Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.

Vol.11. No 1.

Our sincere thanks to Australia Arms Auctions (AAA) for details and permission to use photography.

http://www.australianarmsauctions.com/directors_profiles.html

Please refer to our earlier blog related to CB1641 dated 4/10/2015

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk