This Irish duelling pistol rates good for condition, with smooth metal and sharp markings, but with the wood showing dings, handling marks and wear, with an identification stamp on the left side flat reading “JCCT.” Much of battering is around the barrel wedges, the rear one of which is missing, so it may have been from trying to get them out, though the side flat shows numerous dings as well. The barrel is octagonal, full length, about .69 caliber or 14 bore. Front sight and fixed v-notch rear sight are in place. The metal is smooth, with no finish left, but smooth metal, silver gray in tone with small darker gray spots and some brown. The mounts are iron and the ramrod is present, secured by a single thimble and rear entry pipe. The pistol was made without side plate or thumbpiece, but there are some nice decorative elements. The triggerguard tang ends with a neo-classical engraved pineapple finial and the bottom of the bow is engraved with a flower and leaves. The neck of the cock has floral engraving and the rear of the stepped lockplate shows geometric patterns such as a stack of chevrons, and both elements are repeated on the breechplug tang and screw. The small pommel cap is plain, roughly oval, but with a stepped back, and possibly silver, but unengraved. Some of the screw heads are engraved with star pattern notches, but the frizzen screw seems to have been replaced with a stud, which might hint at the frizzen being a replacement.

The lock is in original flint configuration and the plate is engraved “CLARKE.” This is repeated on the top barrel flat as “CLARKE DUBLIN.” Nicholas Clarke’s first trade listing is in 1788 at 9 Swifts Row, giving him a likely starting date of 1787. He was at 43 Capel from 1789 to 1795 and at 35 Capel from 1796 to his death in 1811. He is known for coaching pistols and blunderbusses as well as duelling pistols. His trade cards boast, “Duelling Pistols Engaged to hit Point Blank at a proper Distance.”

Behind Clarke’s Dublin barrel address is stamped an Irish registration mark in accordance with 1843 regulations reading, “ST – 3193” indicating a license issued in South Riding, Tipperary, a district of Tipperary County created in 1838 to increase the number of courts in the county.

This pistol has seen use and handling, but is by a known and respected Irish gun maker who was in business at the height of the duelling craze when participation in a duel was almost required to have some social standing.  [sr] [ph:m]

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