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Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 3, Issue 3, September 1977

The Old Gun

The Old Gun

"A gun now on exihibition in a window of E. Buxton & Co's premises in Trafalgar Street has a most interesting history. The firearm, which is now in the possession of Mr George Hall of Brightwater, was originally a flintlock made in 1745 and was used at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 by Thomas Tyrell senior, a great-grandfather of Mr Hall. In 1834 it was converted into a nipple gun, and was brought to New Zealand by Thomas Tyrell in 1842. In 1843 Tyrell was amongst those killed at the Wairau Massacre, the gun being accidentally discharged and killing the chief's daughter. This accident, it is said, brought about the massacre. The stock of the gun was burnt in a fire at Thorpe in 1916."

Editor's note. This is an extract from an undated clipping taken from the Nelson Evening Mail. It is understood that this weapon is the treasured possession of some of the descendants.