Rare Antique 19th Century Cosh Confiscated During The Notorious Murphy Riots In 1867 With Provenance
- FREE UK SHIPPING WITH ALL ORDERS
- INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE PROCEED TO CHECKOUT FOR SHIPPING QUOTES
A rare 19th century cosh or jimmy believed to have been confiscated from a rioter during the notorious Murphy Riots in 1867.
The story of the Peaky Blinders running the lawless streets of 1920s Birmingham has captivated viewers for almost a decade. But the real story of the Peaky Blinders is far less glamorous, with mass street fighting gangs born out of the extreme poverty which plagued industrial cities in the 19th century.
Tensions between Catholic Irish immigrants and the existing Birmingham population were at the root of the violent 'slogging' gangs - who would later come to be known as the Peaky Blinders.
Following mass immigration from Ireland to England following the Great Famine in 1845, the Irish population in Birmingham had nearly doubled between 1841 and 1851.
'The Irish who moved to Birmingham faced huge amounts of 'anti-Catholic hatred' which was brought to the precipice by William Murphy, a preacher who travelled the country giving 'blood curdling speeches'.
In June 1867, as many as 100,000 people descended to the streets of Birmingham to destroy and loot the homes of Irish immigrants, focused on the poorest areas.
After police took the side of the attackers, the Irish population of Birmingham became more territorial of their land and protective of their community - later developing into the established 'slogging' gangs of the 1870s.
This Cosh is believed to have been confiscated from a rioter during the notorious Murphy Riots in 1867.
Condition is good, commensurate with age and use. Some small areas of wear and cracking to the head of the cosh. Structurally sound.
Measures 35cm x 5cm