Raids and Reprisals - The IRA
Mauser pistol of Vinnie Byrne
HE:1998.154 (on loan from the Brother Allen Collection, Military Archive)
HE:1998.154 (on loan from the Brother Allen Collection, Military Archive)
Mauser pistol of Vinnie Byrne
This 1912 model Mauser pistol was used by Vinnie Byrne as a member of The Squad, also known as The 12 Apostles, the counter-intelligence and assassination group founded by Michael Collins. Byrne had joined the Irish Volunteers at the age of 14, and served at Jacob’s Factory during the 1916 Rising. He later became a member of The Squad and took part in Bloody Sunday, when 14 British agents of The Cairo Gang were assassinated on 21st November 1920. Byrne was one of the gunmen at 38 Upper Mount Street. His Mauser, also referred to as a Peter (after Peter the Painter) was his main firearm, like many of other IRA gunmen, though the fear that the Mauser would jam - leaving them defenceless - led most to carry a second firearm as back-up.Suíomh:
Mauser pistol of Vinnie Byrne suite ag:
On Display
An déantán roimhe seo:
IRA prisoners and Auxiliary, Custom House burning, May 1921
An chéad déantán eile:
Revolver of James Slattery of The Squad