Sir, – Ronan McGreevy's interesting Irishman's Diary (February 7th) about the "Clones Affray" in 1922 includes one possible error. The weapon illustrated was a Mauser C96, also known as the "Broom Handle", or "Peter the Painter". It was the fearsome weapon of choice for some of Michael Collins's Squad during the War of Independence. – Yours, etc,
PATRICK JUDGE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
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Sir,– The pistol displayed is a Mauser 1896 7.63 calibre, also known as a rifle pistol, with its timber holster used as a stock. It was known in Ireland as a “Peter the Painter”, named after a Latvian anarchist who is said to have taken part in the Siege of Sidney Street in 1911 and escaped. – Yours, etc,
MARTIN AHERNE,
Loughrea,
Co Galway.