Luger parabellum pistol, Sean Treacy, 1920

Luger parabellum pistol, Sean Treacy, 1920

This Luger parabellum pistol belonged to Sean Treacy, one of the leaders of the 3^rd Tipperary Brigade. He was part of the ambush at Soloheadbeg (regarded as the first action of the War of Independence), led the rescue of Sean Hogan at Knocklong, and worked with Michael Collin’s Squad on a number of assassinations. On the 14^th October 1920 undercover British officers tracked him down as he was meeting members of The Squad at 94 Talbot Street; The Republican Outfitters Stores owned by Peadar Clancy used as an IRA meeting place. As Treacy escaped from the building he and the British officers exchanged shots, drawing more fire from the British troops arriving on the scene. In the gunfire on the street Treacey, British officer Lieutenant Gilbert Price, and G-Man Francis Christian were killed. Two civilians - Patrick Carroll and Joseph Carrington - were also shot dead in the crossfire. Volunteer Seán Brunswick managed to empty Treacy’s pockets before the British forces retrieved his body, and found his gun had already been taken. This Luger was given to the National Museum by Treacy’s comrades Dan Breen, Seán Hogan and Seamas Robinson, and stated as being Treacy’s. The German designed pistol was a popular choice amongst Irish revolutionaries.