From about 1770 onwards, gunsmiths were producing pistols expressly made for duelling.[2]. The stock on gun 2 is fine with no cracks or chips and the dents and dings expected of light to moderate use. In 1801, young Philip Hamilton, son of founding father Alexander Hamilton, and his friend and theater manager Stephen Price challenged New York City attorney George Eacker to a duel after confronting Eacker about a Independence Day speech he had given critical of Alexander Hamilton. After he forcibly abducted Mary to the north of England, a warrant was issued for Stoney Bowes arrest. (36.9 g); bullet mould (d): L. 4 13/16 (12.2 cm); Cal. He then fled to Europe where he continued to conspire to steal land in the West. Please use the print button in the share bar at the top of the page. (39.4 cm); Wt. Pistol: wood (walnut), steel, gold, brass, horn; ramrod: wood (walnut), brass, steel; case: wood (mahogany), velvet, brass; powder flask: brass, steel, leather; bullet mold: steel; screwdriver: wood (walnut), brass, steel; cleaning rod: wood (walnut), brass, steel; bottle: glass, Dimensions: The crest and monogram strongly suggest they may have belonged to Wogdons son-in-law, William Butt Jnr. [15] The rules of the "French method" of duelling required the duellists to begin back-to-back, walk a set number of paces before turning and firing. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The pistols are quite unique with their saw handled butts and spurred trigger guards the design of which would have been specified by the owner. (9.6 mm); Wt. The 9 5/8" octagon 64 caliber swamped smooth bore barrel has a fair bore . Initially standard holster or travelling pistols were mainly used, but by the end of the century special-purpose duelling pistols were being made by craftsmen in England, France, Germany, Austria, and the United States. Cased Pair of John Blissett & Son Percussion Dueling Pistols: Lot 332 Four British Prime Ministers have engaged in duels throughout history. Collectors Firearms, LLC. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. We offer a wide selection of firearms, including: handguns, shotguns, rifles, ammunition, rifle scopes and optics, as well as collectible machine guns and other NFA/Class 3 guns. Many later pistols have heavier barrels and half-stocks while the early pistols are lighter and full-stocked. The name of one gunmaker recurs repeatedly in tales of the most infamous duels Robert Wogdon, says John O'Sullivan and De Witt Bailey, in this edited extract from Robert Wogdon, Wogdon & Barton, John Barton, London Gunmkaers 1764-1819. In 1797, Alexander Hamilton's brother-in-law, John Baker Church, had obtained an exquisite pair of custom-made dueling pistols made by Wogdon. Burrs shot had struck him in the ribs and caused serious damage to his organs and left him paralyzed. He went on to become one of the most infamous traitors in American history for conspiring to steal by force territory acquired for the United States by Thomas Jefferson as well as land in Mexico to create his own western empire. The stock on gun 1, which is lighter than gun 2, is vey good with no cracks, a chip around the rear barrel key, a small chip at the rear trigger guard attachment pin on the right, and scattered usage dents and dings. Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded. New York. 12.9 oz. Only one of the pair of pistols made by Robert Wogdon that were used in this duel has survived, and is on permanent exhibition at the Museum of London; it presumably belonged to Colonel Lennox. 1 lb. Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols. [3] Spurs on the trigger guards began appearing after around 1805 to provide a rest for the middle finger to improve the shooter's grip. Initially, both men refused to fire. Wogdon made the pistols used in the infamous BurrHamilton duel, which were later claimed to have concealed "hair triggers" (also known as set triggers). The Colt Single Action Army revolver and the Winchester Model. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. Chase Manhattan Bank acquired the pistols in 1930, and they now reside at the National Postal Museum. Handguns and Pistols for Sale | Impact Guns The engraving on the escutcheon merits further research. (30.3 cm); Cal. Eacker had called the two young men damned rascals.. A duelling pistol is a type of pistol that was manufactured in matching pairs to be used in a duel, when duels were customary. "British Flintlock Dueling Pistol by Wogdon (AH6306)" for sale The guns had several special features, including heavy brass forends for steadier aim and both front and rear sights for a more accurate shot. Both sets of pistols have single set triggers. 3 lb. A Rare Pair Of 40-Bore Flintlock Overcoat Or Travelling Pistols He completed his term as Vice-President but his political career was effectively over. (39.4 cm); Wt. More Info. Pistols at Dawn | Tennants Auctioneers 181520", "THE TAMING OF THE DUEL: MASCULINITY, HONOUR AND RITUAL VIOLENCE IN LONDON, 16601800", "www.exetermemories.co.uk/EM/_events/last_duel.php", "Material Culture and Military History: Test-Firing Early Modern Small Arms", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Duelling_pistol&oldid=1132214902, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 January 2023, at 20:30. The pistols used in this duel are believed to have been the Wogdon & Barton pistols owned by John Barker Church, Alexander Hamiltons brother-in-law. The pistols used in the Hamilton=Burr duel, which belonged to Hamiltons brother-in-law. It was requested that the Duke say he considered Colonel Lennox a man of honour and courage. Research suggests the attribution is spurious, though the quality is superb. E ach pistol with 10 inch rebrowned sighted octagonal barrel inscribed 'Wogdon & Barton London' on the top flat, gold lined touch hole, foliate engraved tang incorporating the rear sight, flat bevel edged signed lock with stepped tail and sliding safety, set trigger, figured walnut full stock, swelling flat sided butt, engraved iron furniture Prince William Frederick, Second Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1803d. A serious pistol shot would practise with his own pair and would be reluctant to provide one of his pistols to his adversary. This time by his father and Vice President Aaron Burr. Robert Wogdon, London | The Flintlock Collection [5], As duels were generally fought at short distances which were paced out, typically 35 to 45 feet (11 to 14m),[6] between stationary opponents, extreme accuracy was not required. Standard flintlock pistols can have a noticeable delay between pulling the trigger and actually firing the bullet unless precisely tuned. He was found guilty of conspiracy to abduct Mary and sentenced to three years in prison, though he managed to spend his prison term in comfort due to his continued access to Marys estate. Wogdon & Barton | The Flintlock Collection Robert Wogdon (January 1734 - 28 March 1813) died aged 79 and was buried with his wife Jane (died 15 February 1805, aged 69) in the chancel of St Bartholomew's Church, located on the outskirts of Buntingford, Hertfordshire. "Pair of Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols (AH6322)" for sale In some duels, the pistols were carefully and identically loaded, and each duellist was offered his choice of the indistinguishable loaded pistols. SOLD. "Loan Exhibition of European Arms and Armor," August 3September 27, 1931, no. The barrels on earlier guns were cylindrical, while later ones tended to be octagonal. He carried on his business in Haymarket from 1774 until his retirement in 1802. 1834); Theodore Offerman, New York (until d. 1937; his estate sale, American Art Association-Anderson Galleries, Inc., New York, November 1113, 1937, no. 0.5 oz. He died early the next morning. Tragically, on 21 November 1801, Churchs Wogdon pistols were used in a duel between Hamiltons eldest son, Philip, and George Eaker, a Jefferson supporter who had publicly made insulting remarks about Alexander Hamilton. This supremely elegant target pistol is among their most accomplished work. Purpose-built duelling pistols have various improvements to make them more reliable and accurate. A PAIR OF ENGLISH FLINTLOCK DUELING PISTOLS by Wogdon & Barton, London The sighted browned octagonal twist steel barrels engraved Wogdon & Barton London, the touch-holes lined in gold with hooked breeches and engraved tangs.Set triggers. Not all fine, antique pairs of pistols are duelling pistols, though they may be called so. [7], The most famous and innovative manufacturers were London-based companies such as Wogdon & Barton, Durs Egg, Manton, Mortimer, Nock, and Purdey. (22.7 g); glass bottle (f): H. 1 1/2 in. He formally called upon the Duke either to give up the name of his false informant or afford him satisfaction. Hamilton, Burr, their seconds, and a doctor met at Heights of Weehawken in New Jersey, a popular but secluded dueling ground, on that fateful July morning. A pair of duels in the early 19th century in America have done much to fix Wogdons name in American memory. Lot 1278: Cased pair of Walter Adams percussion dueling pistols. Lennox replied that he could not consider His Royal Highness as any other than the son of his King. Very good with more than half of the period refurbished brown, distinct Damascus patterns, and bright gold vent on the barrel; mottled silver-gray patina on the lock, gray and brown patina on the iron furniture, dark aged patina on the silver, replaced ramrod shaft, minor oxidation/pitting, and general mild wear. Both parties presented and fired in succession. The events that culminated in the duel were the result of several years of simmering political differences and antagonism. Although sometimes the duellists would use their own pistols so the weapons would be different. Fate or divine intervention was a key aspect of the origins of dueling. Click Photo to Enlarge Guns International #: 101363115 Seller's Inventory #: 190413 Category Antique Pistols - Flintlock Handguns - European Pistols Seller's Information 0.8 oz. You can safely challenge a friend to a duel with muzzleloading pistols today by using modern dueling targets that leave only bragging rights on the line. (1726.5 g). The trigger guard finial is an engraved acorn. These types are similar to duelling pistols in that they were muzzle-loading weapons that were sometimes expensively made and sold in matched, cased pairs with a set of accessories. Wogdon & Barton - Wikipedia A Rifled Pocket Pistol by Smith. Robert Wogdon, a gunmaker most famous for his dueling pistols, partnered with John Barton late in his career. Dueling as a way to protect one's reputation has long faded from acceptable behavior, but these paired and cased dueling pistols for sale in Rock Island Auction Company's Aug. 26-28 Premier Auction are a fascinating way to recall a different time and a different way of personal conduct. Pair of Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols (AH6322) Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: AH6322 Add to Cart Add to wishlist Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. 0.5 oz. (17.1 cm); Wt. 14.75"". His pistols were so well known that "Stanzas on Duelling Inscribed to Wogdon, the Celebrated Pistol-Maker" from 1782 starts with the lines "Hail Wogdon! With swamped octagonal sighted barrels each signed in script along the top flat and engraved with a band of beadwork at the breech, silver fore-sights, tangs each incorporating the back-sight and finely engraved with foliage, signed flat . The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver, and the latter have a monogram that appears to be the initials "LD." British, London, Medium: 37.154.3ag. He was, at his death, described by his long-term friend, surgeon Jesse Foot, who had attended his duelling injuries 33 years earlier, as a villain to the backbone cowardly, insidious, hypocritical, tyrannic, mean, violent, selfish, jealous, revengeful, inhuman and savage without a counterveiling quality. Robert Wogdon made many and varied firearms - pocket and livery pistols, double-barrelled pistols, sporting guns and rifles, carbines and blunderbusses - but he was most renowned for his duelling pistols. Great Britain and Ireland, 1600-1800 A.D. [6], Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Dueling pistols hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy The various component parts of these firearms were individually produced under the direction of a master gunmaker by highly specialized craftsmen, including a lock smith, barrel forger, stocker, and engraver. Gunsmith Robert Wogdon British Wogdon retired in 1803 and died in 1813. SUBSCRIBE today for our lowest ever deal, SIX ISSUES for JUST 6 by clicking on THIS link. Threading and drilling tooling. [5] These gave the person using them an advantage over their opponent by reducing the amount of finger pressure required to fire the pistol, which greatly increased accuracy of the shot. Rogers Fund, 1937, Accession Number: The 10"" swamped at the muzzle octagon 67 caliber smooth bore barrels have good bores with light roughness. Desirable Cased Pair of Engraved Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols Auction Date: August 28, 2022 Estimated Price: $ 6,500 - $ 9,500 Price Realized: Details A) Wogdon & Barton Dueling Pistol Manufacturer: English Model: Flintlock Pistol Type: Pistol Gauge: 54 Barrel: 10 inch octagon Finish: brown/casehardened/blue Grip: Stock: walnut Holster pistols, or horse pistols were used on horseback and carried in pairs in a leather holster slung across a horse's saddle. An aesthetic vocabulary of blued, case-hardened, and browned steel and richly finished walnut, both with tasteful gold and silver accents, defines much of their best work. The 10" swamped at the muzzle octagon 67 caliber smooth bore barrels have good bores with light roughness. The Critical Review; or, Annals of Literature, hot air balloons with blunderbusses over Paris, Duke of York was challenged by his nephew Charles Lennox. [7] The name Wogden in particular became associated with duelling pistols, to the extent that a duel was sometimes referred to by lawyers as a "Wogden Case". His pistols had now reached a level of perfect proportions and balance, and had a simple elegance that could hardly be improved. Mechanically fine. The ultimate pocket pistol, derringer handguns are lightweight, compact, and can easily be tucked away in a pocket or purse. The Duke of York had publicly insulted him and had virtually accused him of cowardice. These pistols from the National Maritime Museum are engraved Horatio Nelson 1780. Wogdon's duelling pistols were fitted with set triggers as a standard feature, so they cannot be regarded as "secret" devices that other duellists of the era would be completely unaware of. Colonel Burrs shot struck home and General Hamilton fell almost instantly. However, for at least twenty years before the BurrHamilton duel, English duelling pistols by all the top makers had been customarily fitted with set triggers. Surprisingly, Lee was only lightly wounded and the affair ultimately ended without another exchange, in part due to Alexander Hamiltons role as Laurenss second. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. The brown damascus style finish is visible in several areas along with scattered dents and manufacturing defects. The plot was foiled, but he was acquitted. When facing down a, The birth of the legendary Barrett M82 sniper rifle, is a fascinating American tale of inspiration, dedication, and innovation. "The Best Damn Gunshop in the World" This rare public showing marked the first time these pistols have been displayed in Washington, D.C. Though disputed, this duel most likely took place on 26 May 1789. A discussion of the poem in The Critical Review; or, Annals of Literature from 1782 notes, "The artist to whom these stanzas are inscribed is famous for his skill in making pistols, whose aim is remarkably true" and notes the lines, "No one can tell how short he shall remain, If honour calls and Wogdon bids him die" as among the best in the poem. Nonetheless, smoothbore dueling pistols, generally around 28 bore (.54 caliber), were the weapons of choice by the late 18th century. Given both men had time to take deliberate aim, neither may walk away unscathed, and the chance of death was high. Wogdons guns were designed to be aimed quickly, reliably fire, and shoot true. Robert Wogdon - Cased pair of Flintlock Duelling pistols Lot 3247: A very desirable cased pair of Wogdon & Barton flintlock dueling pistols from circa 1795-1803. 7 oz. The finest London firearms made in the classic British style of the early nineteenth century rank among the most stately and innovative in the history of gunmaking. Gunmakers to Bow St. Police, 1801-3. To order, please call 01666 502200 or email: subscriptions@bonhams.com, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Luxury stationery: a wonderfully sensuous experience. (42.5 g); screwdriver (e): L. 3 15/16 in. More has been written about this duel than any other in American history. David S. Weaver covered this for the American Society of Arms Collectors,but in short, Wodgons barrels were bent downwards slightly. They have small blade front and fixed notch rear sights. Then Eacker raised his pistol and shot Hamilton above the hip. This is a very nice pair of dueling pistols by a well-known maker of quality flintlock pistols. Pistol (a): L. 16 1/8 in. This dueling flintlock pistol is by Robert Wogdon (1733-1813), a well-known London gunsmith from Lincolnshire who operated at Haymarket, London, from 1774 to 1802. However, there is rarely any information as to the type, ownership or maker of the pistols used. However, for at least twenty years before the BurrHamilton duel, English duelling pistols by all the top makers had been customarily fitted with set triggers. Committed to designing and building . Thus, firing too early might make you more likely to miss and have to risk being shot at from a shorter range. At first glance, the surviving pistol is not immediately recognisable as the work of Robert Wogdon. By 1780, Wogdon had settled on the final form for his duelling pistols and saw no reason for any major changes over the next 23 years. Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. Mortimer, and many other talented English gunmakers certainly manufactured incredibly fine dueling pistols and helped create new innovations in their designs over time, but Wogdon truly specialized in them. A cased pair of half-stocked duelling pistols dated 1793. In some situations, the duelist who had already fired was also supposed to keep advancing until the opponent had fired. 0.8 oz. [2] [3] Other features were saw handles, platinum-lined touch-holes and hair triggers. The overall length is approx. Despite duelling being always regarded as illegal, in practice it was widely tolerated by both the juries and the sentencing judges. He returned shortly before the War of 1812. The locks are signed "Wogdon/&/Barton" and have frizzen rollers, sliding half-cock safeties, and stepped tails. Gunsmith John Barton British. His total production of duelling pistols over the 39 years that he was a gunmaker is unknown. They go back centuries to trial by combat, also known as the judicial duel. 7 oz. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/29592. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. When Charles Lee and John Laurens dueled during the American Revolution, they each brought a pair. Their "saw handle" stocks are one of just many designs English gunmakers experimented with in their efforts to create deadly accurate dueling pistols. Wogdon's duelling pistols were fitted with set triggers as a standard feature, so they cannot be regarded as "secret" devices that other duellists of the era would be completely unaware of. Robert Wogdon, a gunmaker most famous for his dueling pistols, partnered with John Barton late in his career. The breech plug tangs, butt caps, and trigger guards have decorative engraving. The barrels have a decorative band around the breech end. Again, the affair began with politics. Wogdon made the pistols used in the infamous BurrHamilton duel, which were later claimed to have concealed "hair triggers" (also known as set triggers). The Most Famous Set of Dueling Pistols - Wogdon & Barton Until the building's demolition in 2019, you could view the most famous set of dueling pistols in history on display at the former JPMorgan Chase Tower, at 270 Park Avenue, NY, New York. Undoubtedly the most famous duel with Wogdon pistols, and certainly the most famous pistol duel in the United States, took place on 11 July 1804 at Weehawken, New Jersey, between the former Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and the sitting Vice-President of the United States, Aaron Burr. There were also varieties of barrier duels in which the duelist started a set number of paces apart with a barrier in the center. The original dueling pistols used by Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in the 1804 duel that killed Hamilton were on exhibit from May 25 - September 16, 2018. Click here for more information. Generally, if both duelists fired without effect, the challenger could declare himself satisfied or demand another exchange. He left no records and never used serial numbers on his guns. If Hamilton were to admit to Burrs charge, which was substantially true, he would lose his honour. Engraved in gold on the barrel: ARGer DE L'EMPEREUR. If the matter could not be resolved through formal correspondence, the conflict would most commonly be settled with a formal exchange of shots from proper dueling pistols: a Wogdon affair.. Poem, Stanzas on Duelling, by an Irish Volunteer, 1783, began Hail Wogden, Patron of that Leaden death. (136.1 g); cleaning rod (c): L. 15 1/2 in. His total production of duelling pistols over the 39 years that he was a gunmaker is unknown. It has an inoperative hammer safety. Duelling pistols have long and heavy barrels - the added weight helped steady aim and reduce recoil. 19th September 2018. Spring Steel. A discussion of the poem in "The Critical Review; or, Annals of Literature" from 1782 notes, "The artist to whom these stanzas are inscribed is famous for his skill in making pistols, whose aim is remarkably true" and notes the lines "No one can tell how short he shall remain, If honour calls and Wogdon bids him die" as among the best in the poem. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Read British gunmakers of the 21st century for more about the companies continuing a long tradition. For example, when the Duke of York was challenged by his nephew Charles Lennox when they were serving in the Coldstream Guards, Lennoxs Wogdon pistols from 12 paces at Wimbledon Common was chosen, and they were to fire upon the signal. In the Lee-Laurens duel mentioned above, the two men resolved to walk towards one another and fire at will and exchanged shots at just five or six paces. Whatever the eventual outcome, it was the expected duty of both the parties seconds to record faithfully all details of the duel, from the original insult, the issuing of the challenge to the eventual outcome. [18] For an eye-witness account of such a duel, see Reynolds (1839).[14]. A PAIR OF ENGLISH FLINTLOCK DUELING PISTOLS by Wogdon & Barton, London The Duke had earlier indicated to Colonel Lennox that he wished to desire no protection from his rank. When it came down to staring down an opponent, many men put their trust in gunmakers like Robert Wogdon rather than divine intervention. 4.8 oz. 20002023 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Nonetheless, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel to repair his reputation. Philip was mortally wounded, and died in agony the following day. With re-browned swamped octagonal sighted barrel (bore pitted) with crudely refreshed signature along the top flat and line of beadwork at the rear, silver fore-sight, border engraved tang with back-sight and decorated with a shell and foliage, signed detented flat . They loaded the pistols and the parties took their stations. Robert Wogdon & John Barton Gunmakers, 14 Haymarket, 1795-1803. 0.00. After one man had fired, the other could fire within the remaining allotted time. Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols. Pistols with calibers of 0.45in (11mm), 0.52in (13mm), 0.58in (15mm) or even 0.65in (17mm) were common.