Scarce, Dublin, Preventative Water Guard, PWG, (Pre Coastguard), Quality, Rigby of Dublin .650” bore Flintlock Carbine. Sn - 21851:8 Scarce, Dublin, Preventative Water Guard, PWG, (Pre Coastguard), Quality, Rigby of Dublin .650” bore Flintlock Carbine. Sn - 21851:8 Muzzleloader .65 Rifles

John Rigby is a famous gunmaker of quality guns founded in Dublin in 1775. During the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), smugglers were extremely active in the waters around the southern and eastern coasts of Ireland. In an effort to deal with this problem, the British Government established the P.W.G. (Preventative Water Guard) in 1809. The Guard operated small boats along the shore to intercept smugglers who had escaped the larger Revenue cutters out at sea. Despite also having Customs Officers on land, this response proved to be inadequate and smuggling continued to thrive. By 1819 the Commissioners of Customs in Dublin were forced to look for help from the Controller General of the Water Guards deputy, General James Dombrain who went to south-west Cork where he set about re-organising the Water Guard. In 1822, the Preventative Water Guard, Revenue cutters and Customs Officers were all amalgamated into the Coast Guard under the Board of Customs who set about building a line of stations around the coast of Ireland. This is a flintlock carbine with a captive ramrod made Rigby of Dublin. The carbine has a 21 ½ inch damascus barrel an overall length of 37 inches. The top of the damascus .650 “ bore barrel is stamped DUBLIN P.W.G (Port Water Guard) and has a rearsight forged into the top of the tang. The lockplate is stamped RIGBY and has a chamfered border. The lockplate is held on by 2 sidenails that are screwed through 2 recessed brass ferules. The barrel has a captive ramrod on a recessed mount which is stamped with the number 1765 on the left hand side where a bayonet could be carried and fixed to the bayonet stud that also acts a fore sight. The carbine has a fine walnut stock which has minor knocks and bumps with use. The damascus barrel is smooth with a nice patina and the bore has staining and residue with use. The lock has a strong and crisp action. The walnut stock is in a nice condition with no cracks with only minor knocks and bumps with age. NB As an antique carbine no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. The price includes U.K. delivery. Sn 21851:8