doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Blarney Castle/Holland & Holland

I was looking at a set of Royal Sidelock Ejectors and on the outside of the trunk case in a little brass oval, " R J Colthurst, Blarney Castle, Co Cork "

Can anyone tell me if this fellow was anyone of any significance? Anything would help.

Thank you.

Tim

Google "Colthurst, Blarney Castle"

Probably Sir Richard Colthurst. After WWII, like everyone else they probably sold the doubles and went to semi-autos.

They still own the place.

Thanks Rob.

Tim

With the early ownership being that of RJ Colthurst of Blarney Castle, Co Cork.

Would that have an affect on the value of the gun today?

Not in my opinion....I have a holland falling block made for the duke of cranbrooke.....means didly in my mind. Pay for the gun, not the providence.
Steve

If you didn't know who he was he's not famous. If the previous owner isn't famous it won't add a penny to the price.

The Colthursts are the owners of Blarney Castle, where the Blarney stone is located, so that might add a bit of “curiosity” value.

There is a stone that whoever kisses
Never misses to grow eloquent.
He may clamber to a lady's chamber,
Or become a member of Parliament.

See website, http://www.blarneycastle.ie
The Colthurst family built the present pile in the late 1800’s when they married into the Jeffereys. Historically they are not renowned for much, other than a relative, a Captain Bowen-Colthurst , a rather nasty individual whose antics can be read on http://www.hoganstand.com/general/identity/extras/hidden/stories/courage.htm

The guns possibly belonged to this Richard…….
Death notice from the Irish Examiner, 25 March 2003:
COLTHURST (Blarney, Co. Cork): On March 22, 2003, peacefully, after a long illness, RICHARD, beloved husband of Janet for 50 years, father of Charles, James, Henry and Georgina, grandfather of Harriet, Edward, John, Charlotte, Caroline, Isabel, Leah, Olivia and Cicely. Private cremation. No flowers. Donations, if desired, to Riding for the Disabled, c/o Mary Woodward, Hitchmough Riding School, Monkstown, Co. Cork. Service of Thanksgiving in St. Senan's Church, Inniscarra, on Thursday at 2.30pm.

K.

I think Kerrymans right the story does add interest to the gun. But finding the name of a previous owner is only the begining. If you can find some documented use or anecdotal story that includes the gun thats even better. Perhaps a photo. Some previous owners led very noteworthy lives and putting together a short biography adds further interest. Whether this adds value to the gun depends on the quality and scope of the information and the presentation at the time of sale.

I have heard that when folks fell leaning over to kiss the stone that if the fall didn't kill them he would put them out of misery with the gun. He stopped falling lawsuits that way and used the Chaney hunting accident excuse to clear himself of any wrong doing with the shot.

Sounds as though you may have had first hand experience kissing the stone.