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A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century
The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons
A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century
A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later
FOUR REPRODUCTION CARVED POWDER HORNS/FLASKS.late 20th century.
THREE CARVED COCONUT ITEMS.18th/19th century.
A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION POWDER FLASKS AND RELATED SPORTING ITEMS.
THREE VICTORIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR DECORATIVE ITEMS.
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Lot 71

A Very Rare Irish Silver Gorget Of An Officer In The National Army Of Ireland
Maker's Mark Of Matthew West, Circa 1780

Antique Arms and Armour
23 July 2015, 10:30 BST
London, Knightsbridge

£1,800 - £2,200

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A Very Rare Irish Silver Gorget Of An Officer In The National Army Of Ireland
Maker's Mark Of Matthew West, Circa 1780

Of universal pattern with turned edges, the front engraved with the figure of the Maid of Erin holding a cornucopia and a spear supporting a Phrygian cap, within an oval border inscribed 'Loughbrickland Volunteers' against martial arms
10.5 cm.

Footnotes

Matthew West (1747-1806) was apprenticed to Bartholemew Mosse, Master Silversmith of Dublin in 1762. He later occupied a premises on Skinner's Row, now Christ Church Place. In 1783 he was elected Master of the Company of Goldsmiths

The Loughbrickland Volunteers was one of four named units raised in Loughbrickland, County Down, during the late 18th century under the overall command of the Earl of Charlemont. Forces of this type were raised throughout Ireland at the time in response to the increased threat of French and Spanish invasion whilst British soldiers were being withdrawn from Ireland to fight in the American Revolutionary War. The Volunteers were independent of the Irish Parliament and Dublin Castle, yet their existence was justified by claims that Ireland was particularly vulnerable to attack.

The Volunteers were also known for their liberal political views, with many opposing English governmental interference in Ireland. Under Henry Grattan, they formed a pressure group which succeeded in gaining legislative independence in 1782. The movement incorporated Anglican Protestants, Presbyterians and Catholics, and its members exerted considerable pressure on the British government to ease the Penal Laws on Catholics. The Volunteers became less influential following the end of the war in America in 1783. Internal divisions of opinion regarding political affairs weakened the movement, and the revolutionary and republican sentiments of some members were disapproved of by others, particularly in northern areas. By 1785 the National Army was in decline and the cause was lost

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A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century
The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons
A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century
A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later
FOUR REPRODUCTION CARVED POWDER HORNS/FLASKS.late 20th century.
THREE CARVED COCONUT ITEMS.18th/19th century.
A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION POWDER FLASKS AND RELATED SPORTING ITEMS.
THREE VICTORIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR DECORATIVE ITEMS.