E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Tipperary Rifle (A).
A shillelagh or stick made of blackthorn. At Ballybrophy station an itinerant vendor of walking-sticks pushed up close to their Royal Highnesses [the Prince and Princess of Wales] … The Prince asked him what he wanted, and the man replied, “Nothing, your honour, but to ask your honour to accept a present of a Tipperary rifle,” and so saying he handed his Royal Highness a stout hawthorn. The Prince sent the man a sovereign, for which a gentleman offered him 25s. “No,” said the man, “I would not part with it for twenty-five gold guineas.” In a few minutes the man had sold all his sticks for princely prices. (April 25th, 1885.)
