'Very rare' and hugely historic rifle used in Offaly during 1916 Rising up for auction
'Very rare' and historic rifle used in Offaly during 1916 Rising up for auction
What is described as a 'very rare' and historic rifle used in Offaly during 1916 Rising is up for auction.
The Mauser Gewehr 98 bolt-action rifle was presented to the Offaly Brigade, Irish Volunteers by Sir Roger Casement.
It is up for auction by Whyte's with an estimate of €8,000 to €10,000. The online auction continues until Saturday afternoon. Click here to see the auction.
The provenance on the rifle says that it is serial number 2405 and that it was resented to James O'Connor, Quartermaster of Offaly Irish Volunteers by Roger Casement on his visit to Tullamore. The rifle is probably from the Asgard shipment and it is described as 'a very rare provenanced rifle used in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence'.
James O'Connor was quartermaster for Offaly Irish Volunteers from 1915-1921.