A Visit to Trulock & Harriss Premises.

A Visit to Trulock & Harriss in 1880-1881 by H. Bernard Becker.

A Visit to Trulock & Harriss by

H.Bernard Becker 1880-1881. Disturbed Ireland. Being letters written during the winter of 

1880-1881

"I was taken to a gunsmith's in Dawson-street,

where I was assured that the sale of firearms had been and was

remarkably brisk, the chief demand being for full-sized revolvers and

double-barrelled carbines. The weapon chiefly recommended was one of

the latter, with a large smooth bore for carrying buck-shot and

spreading the charge so much as to make the hitting of a man at thirty

yards almost certain. The barrels were very short, in order that the

gun might be convenient to carry in carriage or car. This formidable

weapon was to be carried in the hand so as to be ready when

opportunity served; a little ostentation as to one's habit of going

armed being vigorously insisted on as a powerful deterrent"

What great social history this is.

Has overtones of the Charles Dickens visit to Colonel Samuel Colts, Gun Manufactory, London in 1852. 

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

William Trulock & Son.

William Trulock/ William Trulock & Son

A classic case of advertising going wrong!! The compositor having entered 125 instead of the correct 152 Capel Street. This error being corrected by December of the same year.

Interestingly, WilliamTrulock having transferred his business from 10 Little Britain Street in 1822 was now exploiting the new Percussion System which included producing their own percussion caps. Following this move the company soon became Trulock & Son as can be seen from this advert of 20th August 1823. In addition,in the December they were advertising " an improvement in Detonating Guns" for which they had entered a Caveat in the Patent Office.

Anyone with snippets of information on the Trulock gunmaking dynasty please feel free to contact us.

Dave Stroud.

Trulock & Harriss Trade Label.

Trulock & Harriss trade labels are not that rare but always nice to find. This one recently purchased.

T&H were at this address from 1854 to 1897. Thereafter the business became Trulock, Harriss & Richardson Ltd..

In 1898 they are also noted as having a Depot in Clonmel. Co Tipperary. T,H & R finally closed their doors in 1915.

Prior to these dates the company traded as E. Trulock & Son from 1843 to 1853 and earlier traded as William Trulock & Son 1832 to 1843. 

This brief history covers the time they were at 9 Dawson Street, Dublin and Clonmel. 

In a future blog we will cover the period 1822 to 1832 when they traded from 152 Capel Street as William Trulock and Trulock & Son.

Robert McCormick Gun-Maker.

Robert McCormick was the son of Belfast gunmaker John McCormick.

Robert traded in Belfast, Dublin and finally America where he ran government contracts until
1801 when he was imprisoned for bankruptcy. McCormick's foreman James Haslett also a Irishman, continued the running of his contracts. Notes courtesy of :- http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/B041_Bittner.pdf.

Robert McCormick made 10 pairs of high quality duelling pistols per year during the period 1787-1796 and not only were these pistols serial numbered but also dated. See below.

Dates & Serial number ranges.
1787      1-10
1788      11-20
1789      21-30
1790      31-40
1791      41-50
1792      51-60
1793      61-70
1794      71-80
1795      81-90
1796      91-100

Fig 1 

Fig 2

Photography:  Fig 1.Courtesy AAA. Melbourne, Australia. Fig 2. Courtesy Leslie Martin.

We are always pleased to know of any other numbered McCormick duelling pistols or guns.

Confidentiality assured. Dave Stroud ramrodantiques.co.uk

Martin Kelly & Son, Merchants.

Martin Kelly & Son
Merchant
Dublin

Martin Kelly & Son (merchants) 56 Sackville Street, Dublin advertisement from July 1830.
Sole agent within Ireland for Joyce's Anti-Corrosive Percussion Caps.

Check out our earlier blogs. This is an on-going feature. Anyone with information relating to the early Irish guntrade please feel free to contact us.

                                                      Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

Joseph Braddell & Son. Belfast.

Bottom left (canopy) can be seen the premises of Joseph Braddell & Son, Castle Place, Belfast in circa 1900. This company has had a presence in this City since the early 19th century. Last year unfortunately their premises at 11 North Street were hit by a mysterious fire which has left the shop closed and the Managing Director, Mr Charlie Costley suffering with injuries sustained during the blaze. We have tried to contact the company but the telephone number appears to be unobtainable?  However, their website is still active. Anyone out there know any news about this company? Dave Stroud ramrodantiques.co.uk

James Murray, Merchant.

Belfast 8th April 1774.

As early as 1774 the wealthy Belfast merchants were importing a " large and general assortment of HARDWARE, with variety of Guns and Pistols and a Quantity of Blister Steel". It would appear that the artisans of Birmingham, Sheffield and Warrington benefitted from this trade as did the Dublin guntrade. Anyone out there know what "Blister Steel" is?

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk