Walrus.I would say that 25% of the active IRA men left and joined the imperialists in the free state army after the truce. some guns would have went with them. Not all, but we can assume some.
During the joint offensive up north in 1922 the IRA lost more guns than they went in with, even though collins was using some british weapons. a story in itself.

So be clear here. There are two examples of the IRA losing guns after the treaty. I know that joe mac garrity had a batch of guns blocked from coming in at that time also.

So how can you say that the IRA was better equipped in the civil war than the tan. I'll agree there was guns and unlike the staters propaganda there was enough to fight the britis, but how were they better equipped as yous stated.

I want links and quotes to were the IRA obtained these extra guns from the period june 1921 up to the start of the civil war.
id also like to mention that tom barry that around the truce time, stated that the IRA had enough weapons to fight for 5 years. He didnt mention any extra weapons.

Also ernie o malley talks of making mortar bombs and things like that. But where the extras guns

Remember you did quote this

'by civil war, all sides were better equipped.'

edit btw you could well be right on this one, but im interested to know how you come to this conclusion.