Ramrod Antiques

  "The Sunburst of Ireland" Original. An original lithograph printed by Smith and McDougal, New York City in 1865. The printers name is not visible due to the print having been framed and possibly folded at the base or cut? Also Haasis and Lubrecht not visible. Held in contemporary wooden frame with limited pieces missing. (restorable) Those noted and depicted include; Daniel O'Connell, John Philpot Curran, Father Theobald Matthew, Robert Emmet, Henry Grattan and Thomas F. Burke. A fabulous piece of Irish history. This lithograph was coated with a protective gloss finish (showing signs of ageing & cracking) Sizes: Image 25.25" x 32.5" Frame: 29.5" x 36.5". This item is available via ramrodantiques.co.uk  P.O.A.. We buy original Irish gunmakers ephemera in addition to items such as the above. David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

  The Cork Doctor versus  The Kerry Admiralty Court Judge. This man Sir John William Jeffcott fought a duel with the lamented Dr. Peter Hennis but the circumstances of the event appeared not to comply with the "Code Duello", the laws laid down in late eighteenth century in Ireland detailing how a duel (with pistols) should be actioned. Yet, if we put a legal eye on this case, it is possible that Sir John William Jeffcott was correctly acquitted of murder in this case. For example, in the "Code Duello" it was dictated that each of the principals (combatants) should each be supported by their Second; a man who was ideally articulate and had good communication skills, as this man could ensure your honour was maintained and your life protected. Your Seconds other responsibility was to ensure your pistol/pistols were in sound order and each loaded with the correct charge of gunpowder and ball. In addition, the other important requirement to your team was your doctor. The...

  M.S. Dudley Westropp's.  M.R.I.A Original Notebook Held at the Annex to  The National Library of Ireland Kildare Street Dublin To all those interested in the history of the gunmakers of Ireland it should be noted that no other man covered more ground in unearthing names of the gunmakers of Ireland than M.S.   Dudley Westropp . His work involved reading through church records, birth & death notices and newspaper articles and much much more. He was followed by F. Carroll, H. Ingram and Oliver Snoddy who also published their findings through The Journal of the Arms and Armour Society. I have found their works essential in piecing together my work: A Directory of the Early Irish Gunmakers.  David Stroud ramrodantiques.co.uk

  Henry Allport. Gunmaker Cork. One day a fellow collector rang me to ask if I had heard of a Cork gunmaker called Hallport? It took me a while to convince him that the name on his pistol was in fact H. Allport (Henry). Having seen the picture of the pistol I could understand his dilemma (Above).  Please refer to more material related to this gunmaker in  "A Directory of the Early Irish Gunmakers". David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk NB: The damage to the stock at the base of this backaction lock is one of the most common scars we find on this type of action caused by the mainspring breaking or slipping while insertion.

Birmingham Arms Fair June 14th 2026                                                           Another very enjoyable show.  Thanks to all those who purchased, viewed or just came for a chat.  Hopefully see you all again on 20th September 2026. David Stroud. Ramrod Antiques.

    James Rainsford Armourer / Gunmaker Dublin Trading dates: 1757-1761. Castle Lane. 1761-1782.  29 Dame Street. 1783-d.1790 102 Grafton Street. Contractor to Government. Son of Michael Rainsford, Gunmaker. 1730-1751. Castle Yard, Dame Street. 1752-d.1757. Dame Street. Above details from   "A Directory of the Early Irish Gunmakers" -------------- Additional material via "The Rainsford Family" published in 1932 by Emily A. Buckland. James Rainsford is noted as being Armourer to George II and having made a will dated 1787, was the only son of Michael Rainsford (above) James married Ann Ryland, daughter of Joseph Ryland of Park Gate, Great Weston, Cheshire. Her sister became the wife of Brian O'Connor, Usher of the Irish House of Lords. James Rainsford spent his fortune at the Court of Louis XVI of France, his portrait in oils at the Palace of Versailles, represents him in his French robes, the miniature of which, in a frame of gold, was stolen from Rainsford Lodg...

  Eyland Birch Gunmaker Armagh An extremely rare pair of flintlock overcoat/travelling pistols with "french cocks" by Eyland Birch of Armagh. These pistols clearly engraved on the top flats "ARMAGH". & "BIRCH" to the lockplates. These pistols were part of my collection and were purchased from Minnesota, U.S.A.. These pistols were subsequently sold through the Leslie Martin Collection Auction in 2023. Lot 127. For further details relating to Eyland Birch please refer to "A Directory of the Early Irish Gunmakers" pages; 13, 52, 53 and 124.. David Stroud ramrodantiques.co.uk

  The Queens Own! Wimbledon Style The 1875 artwork and painting by C.M. Vergnes. A French-born American whose work was later sold as a lithograph by Currier & Ives in 1945. This being the 70 year anniversary of the International Rifle Match at Dollymount, Dublin, Ireland.  Please refer to our two previous blogs dated 4th & 1st June 2026.                                We buy early shooting material related to Ireland.                                                                                           David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

  Dollymount International Rifle Match, Dollymount, Dublin, Ireland. Satirical Art by C.M. Vergnes 1875. Reproduced by Remington Arms Co., in 1945. "E Pluribus Unum" ... Out of Many , One. Symbolising the union of many separate colonies into one cohesive nation.  Refer to our older post dated 1/6/2026.  We buy gun old mahogany and oak gun/pistol cases and early advertising material related to the Irish guntrade. David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

  Currier & Ives lithograph reproduced by Remington Arms Co.. Satirical  View of the Match Between Ireland and America in 1875 Currier & Ives Lithograph reproduced by Remington Arms Co., in 1945. "Ireland Forever" Originally drawn and painted by French-born American C.M. Vergnes. The history of the Dollymount long-range shooting competition between Ireland and America has been well documented and is a part of Irish shooting folklore. The Americans throughout this competition shot with Sharps and Remington breech-loading rifles. The Irish with Rigby muzzle- loading rifles. The competition took place on the 29th June 1875 over ranges of 800, 900 and 1000 yards. The result being a win for the American team by a score of 967 to 929. This event proved the superiority of the breech-loading rifle and heralded international shooting competition.  Newspaper cutting courtesy of the National Library of New Zealand. https.//paperspast.natlib.govt.nz We are always interested i...