The DANGAN CASTLE flintlock blunderbuss owned by Garret Wesley, father of Arthur, The First Duke of Wellington

DANGAN CASTLE in County Meath, Ireland, is the former seat of the Wesley (later spelled and pronounced Wellesley) family which had occupied the land since the conquests of Henry II of England. It was the childhood home of Field Marshall The First Duke of Wellington. The medieval castle now only exists as a ruined tower. Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington (1735-1781), was Arthur's father. His name is engraved "G.Wesley" above "DANGAN CASTLE, No.2" on the brass escutcheon plate. He is also a direct ancestor of Queen Elizabeth II through her late mother, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Garret had six children, Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852) being the third of five sons. Garret, whose name is on the blunderbuss, was careless with money, and his early death left the family exposed to financial embarrassment, leading ultimately to the decision to sell all their Irish estates. The blunderbuss itself was made by Henry Collicott, who worked in Bristol making 'brass barreld pistols and blunderbusses' from 1750-1780, and this example dates to circa 1770. His name is engraved on the lockplate and 'Bristol' is engraved on the barrel at the breech. After 'Bristol' is stamped 'CB 405' which was likely done sometime in the early 19th century. The gun measures 30 1/2" long and has a two-stage 14 3/4" brass barrel going from round to cannon barrel. The muzzle diameter is 1 3/4". On the top of the flared cannon barrel is an inscription which reads "LET SLEEPING DOGS LYE" above lovely engraved acanthus leaves. The inscription means that one ought not to instigate trouble. That saying was a favorite of Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, who exercised considerable influence over King George II. On another historical note, the Duke of Wellington was touchy about being born an Irishman and famously used to say "Being Born in a Stable did not necessarily make you a horse." Going back to the gun itself, the ramrod is period but may not be original. The engraved brass butt plate has an exotic bird on the top. The beautiful pierced roccoco style side plate is one of the nicest I have seen. There are also two gunmakers proof stamps at the breech. Finally, the full length stock is made of walnut. There are the typical age cracks, dents and scuffs but nothing significant. Overall, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a real piece of British history.