I want to add a very similar pistol of an other Dublin gunmaker. It is a flintlock-pocketpistol with a cartridge Magazin in ist stock for three rounds. The pistol was made by JOHN Rigby and is missing any proof marks as the FOWLER pistol.
The reason was probably the political situation in Ireland. Until the beginning of the Irish Revolution in 1798 the proof of all barrels took place in the "Dublin Castle". The proof mark showed two crossed hammers under a crown. These activities ended abruptly in 1798 and so all in Ireland produced firearms have not been proofed and got no proofmarks.
After the reception of the ideas of the French Revolution the Party of the politically extreme United Irishman was founded. Their aim was the total dissociation of Ireland from England and 1796 they had over 100.000 men under arms and got strong support from France. This movement was betrayed and the "Clearing" by the British army demanded more than 30.000 dead.
corrado26
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