A walk in the park?
A walk in the park is an expression we use today in order to convey an easy assignment or project and invariably this should be a pleasant indulgence. However, a trip in Phoenix Park, Dublin could have been a little more of a challenge back in the late 18th and 19th centuries. This splendid near two thousand acre urban green site to the north west of the city, was the venue for many an "affair of honour" as we will explore.
Originally back in the 17th century the Phoenix Park was a gated hunting ground and frequented by the upper echelons of Irish society. In 1747 the park was given to the Irish nation by the 4th Earl of Cavendish and thereafter the Irish took this beautiful area into their hearts and it soon became known as the lungs of Dublin.
Duelling with swords or pistols was an international pastime and many affairs of honour are recorded in America, France, England and literally everywhere on the planet, but in no other country were the conditions more ripe to gain a reputation so well recorded and attested than in Ireland. Within easy walking distance of Phoenix Park were a host of gunmakers workshops and outlets where the selling or hiring of cased sets of duelling pistols could be acquired, enabling the hot bloods their moment of satisfaction.
It could be argued that the London gunmakers led the way in the design of the duelling pistol, but the Irish gunmakers were soon to capture their home market and in so many instances eclipsed the work produced by the English gunmakers.
It must be stated that Robert Wogdon (Gunmaker) made it into the lawyers vernacular as, when all else failed in settling a dispute at the bar, it was said that the issue could be settled by "Wogdons Law".... implying the use of "Powder and Ball" or "Pistols at Dawn"...... and many clients resorted to this method over the most bizarre and incongruous reasons.
In England Robert Wogdon duelling pistols, along with H.W. Mortimer and the Manton's were seen as the most prolific gunmakers of this period producing weapons that were seen as the most effective and efficient weaponry for duelling.
If we unravel the list of Irish gunmakers that produced duelling pistols in Dublin then we must commence with John Rigby (1758- d,1818) who built the largest gun manufactory in Dublin that would continue in business within the Rigby family until 1898.
Others of the Dublin gunmakers included:
John Gray, Michael Hutchinson, Samuel Wallace, George McKnight, John Silk, Robert McCormick, Lewis Alley. Nicholas Clarke, James Eames. William Edwards, Thomas Fowler, William Kavanagh, Farrel McDermott, William Morton, Danial Muley, George Turner, Thomas Pattison, William Pattison, Robert Tomlinson, and of course the Trulocks.
In today's antique gun collecting circles weapons produced by the Irish gunmakers are highly sought and the high prices reflect this especially when pistols are in pairs and contained withing their original fitted cases with all the necessary accoutrements. A trade card or label to the inner lid is also nice to see and a bonus.
Phoenix Park, Dublin.
January 1797
A duel was lately fought in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, between a
Mr. Perdue, one of the Attornies Corps, and a Mr. Stockdale, in consequence of the latter striking the volunteer.
Two shots were exhanged, without any injury having been sustained by either party.
(Courtesy: The Sporting Magazine 1797)
-------------------
A duel between
the Duke de Fitzjames
and Lord
Blayney.
In
consequence of some words which fell in debate from Lord Blayney, in the Parliament
of Ireland, concerning the emigrant officers, which the Duke de Fitzjames, a French
nobleman of very high honour, now in Ireland, conceived insulting to him, he
sent a challenge lately to the nobleman abovementioned.
A meeting
in consequence took place in the Phoenix Park, where each discharged a case of
pistols . The Duke de F, it is said was grazed by a ball in the side, and
another went through Lord B’s hat. They were after reconciled to each other, and
went from the ground good friends.
The Duke
of F’ became somewhat indisposed after the affair, and was politely visited by
Lord Blayney on the following day, at his lodgings on the north side of the
town.
Both
these noblemen are military commanders. The young Irish Peer served under his
Royal Highness the Duke of York on the continent, and was slightly wounded.
( Courtesy: The Sporting Magazine
February1797)
David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk
