GETTING the gun out of Irish politics has been the aim of many politicians over the years, but an auction house in Belfast is set to do just that by selling off one of the most famous weapons in Irish history.
The privately owned musket, believed to have been used at the Battle of the Boyne and described as the last gun in Irish politics, formed the basis of the famous photograph symbolising the conclusion of the norths peace process when it was handed over by the late Ian Paisley to then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in May 2007.
The former First Minister and then Taoiseach laughed and joked as they met at the site of the Boyne, in the honeymoon period of the Stormont Executive, just weeks after the DUP and Sinn Fin signed a historic power sharing deal.
Contrary to popular belief, the musket, widely understood to have been a gift to the Republic, was in fact returned to its northern owner in 2011 at the end of a pre-agreed loan period.
The private owner had initially lent the gun to the late DUP leader ahead of his historic visit to the site of the 1690 battle.
The firearm is also thought to have been used at another historic battle fought on Irish soil, the Siege of Derry in 1688/89.
After featuring in the photographs heralding a warm new era in the relationship between Dublin and the DUP, the gun was sent to the Battle of the Boyne Museum and remained in the Republics hands until 2011.
It is unclear why the current owner, who has retained his privacy, has decided to now sell the historic musket after two decades, but it is understood he wishes the gun to remain in the north.
According to Rosss Auctioners and Valuers, which is handling the sale in Belfast on Thursday June 18th, the famous weapon is expected to fetch between 15,000 and 25,000.
Daniel Clarke of Rosss Auctioneers and Valuers said: "The beautifully engraved Boyne Musket was owned by the same English family whose ancestor fought on the side of James II. The owner loaned it to Dr Paisley to present to Mr Ahern who, in turn, handed it over to for a limited period of time to the Battle of the Boyne Museum."
"In my 30 years as an auctioneer, I can safely say it is the most exceptional historic item to appear in our catalogue. To hold it in your arms is to hold the history of Ireland spanning more than three centuries."
Mr Clarke added: "Instead of conflict, the Boyne Musket described by a newspaper in 2007 as 'the last gun in Irish politics' - represents reconciliation and peace. Understandably, it is already attracting considerable interest."
The musket was made by gunsmith George Fisher, gun-maker to the King, in the Tower of London in 1685.
Shorter in length than the standard musket, it is one of only a handful of weapons bearing James IIs cipher to have survived.
