wogdon and barton dueling pistols wogdon and barton dueling pistols

David S. Weaver covered this for the American Society of Arms Collectors,but in short, Wodgons barrels were bent downwards slightly. The hard part would have been shooting both accurately and quickly with your life on the line. Wogdon retired in 1803 and died in 1813. 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. [18] For an eye-witness account of such a duel, see Reynolds (1839).[14]. The 9 5/8" octagon 64 caliber swamped smooth bore barrel has a fair bore . The overall length is approx. Estimated at $7,500-$12,000, these dueling pistols are beautiful, rare, and historically significant. Fate or divine intervention was a key aspect of the origins of dueling. If either party was injured at all, the seconds were generally expected to work to declare the duel was over. .38 in. In some instances multiple rounds were fired without injury. This rare public showing marked the first time these pistols have been displayed in Washington, D.C. Deloping was technically against most dueling codes as it implied the matter was not actually serious enough for an exchange of gunfire, but it wasnt uncommon. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. 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. 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. Great Britain and Ireland, 1600-1800 A.D. [12], Late model English duelling pistols fired by percussion cap, bearing the Royal Warrant on the case, Earlier English flintlock duelling pistols made by Wogdon & Barton, used in the fatal Burr-Hamilton duel of 1804. It has a dovetailed blade front sight, "Wogdon & Barton London" in script on top of the barrel, a gold vent liner, notch rear sight on top of the breech, "Wogdon & Barton" on the . Hamilton received a .54-caliber wound to the abdomen from an English-made Wogdon & Barton flintlock smoothbore dueling pistol. This nice single dueling flintlock pistol by a very well known maker is ready for your English flintlock pistol collection. The brown damascus style finish is . Firearms-Pistols-Flintlock, Credit Line: RM W570AE - Case with Dueling Pistols A Cased Pair of Pistols, Reputedly Owned by Napoleon Pair of pistols Cassette with couple of pistols and accessories belonging to Napoleon I, Casket in which a couple of pistols together with all supplies. Literature: For similar examples see Robert Wogdon, Wogdon & Barton, John Barton by John OSullivan & De Witt Bailey pp 180 185. (36.9 g); bullet mould (d): L. 4 13/16 (12.2 cm); Cal. The Mantons, Griffin & Tow, H.W. The Burr and Hamilton Duel at Weehawken, New Jersey, July 11, 1804 While that is the origin, people clearly had misgivings about whether God would come to their aid in a duel both back in the Middle Ages and in the early modern era. 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. Graceful yet practical and perfectly balanced in the hand, they privilege overall formal quality and flawless mechanical work over applied adornments. Wogdon & Barton (founded by Robert Wogdon) was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. [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. The actions on both pistols function correctly. Rogers Fund, 1937, Accession Number: Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. 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. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. Whether Lennox had used his Wogdons in his duel with Swift is not known. However, there is rarely any information as to the type, ownership or maker of the pistols used. Its long barrel, measuring nearly twelve inches in length, indicates its intended use for targets. The stock is very good with the typical flat sided Wogdon style grips, two fastening wedges, no cracks or chips (except a small chip at the forward lock screw), and the wear expected of a 225 plus year old flintlock pistol. The answer to the question frequently asked of the owners of Wogdon duelling pistols, Were these pistols ever used in a duel? must unfortunately therefore be, We just dont know.. The events that culminated in the duel were the result of several years of simmering political differences and antagonism. 1834); Theodore Offerman, New York (until d. 1937; his estate sale, American Art Association-Anderson Galleries, Inc., New York, November 1113, 1937, no. A cased pair of half-stocked duelling pistols dated 1793. Guns International #: 102053710 Seller's Inventory #: AH6322. (1219 g); powder flask (b): H. 4 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. [Note 2] Injuries from such bullets, coupled with the primitive state of emergency medicine at the time when duels were commonplace, meant that pistol duels frequently resulted in fatalities, often some hours or days afterwards. The top center of the oval has what appears to be some kind of bird figure and a sword. Original Tools. Tools for wood. Click here for more information. Lot 3247: A very desirable cased pair of Wogdon & Barton flintlock dueling pistols from circa 1795-1803. With John Barton, traded Wogdon & Barton from 1795, succeeded by Barton, 1803. .36 in (9.3 mm); Wt. They, and the cocks, have raised decorative edges. To refuse to take part in the duel would have had the same result. (44.5 cm); D. 6 3/4 in. Mechanically fine. (1726.5 g). There's a lot going on in this escutcheon! The sliding-safety locks are marked in script ""Wogdon"" over ""&"" over ""Barton"". He died the following day. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. As you can see, hitting a man-sized target with a muzzleloading pistol wouldnt have been particularly difficult. 15"". 1.5 oz. These shots were fired at 25 yards with rapid dueling style aim rather than carefully deliberate aim. The emotional trauma that Alexander Hamilton must have suffered three years later, facing Aaron Burr on the same spot where his son had been killed, and with perhaps the same pistol that he himself was now holding, can hardly be imagined. This was a legal proceeding in which a persons guilt or innocence was determined by the outcome of a fight. From 9mm to 45 ACP, find the best pistol for you. Lock plates engraved Wogdon & Barton, having push-on half-cock safeties, semi-rain proof pans, and roller frizzen springs (one spring repaired). Bentham concluded that Burr was little better than a murderer. 1.5 oz. 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.. 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. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. The stock on gun 2 is fine with no cracks or chips and the dents and dings expected of light to moderate use. 4.8 oz. When facing down a, The birth of the legendary Barrett M82 sniper rifle, is a fascinating American tale of inspiration, dedication, and innovation. Hosted and Maintained by TwoPointZero IT. Its the story of a, In 1873, two of America's greatest gunmakers would unveil the defining arms of the era. A pair of duels in the early 19th century in America have done much to fix Wogdons name in American memory. 0.8 oz. 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. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. Pistol Kits; Chemicals and Compounds. Nonetheless, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel to repair his reputation. (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. Click Photo to Enlarge Guns International #: 101363115 Seller's Inventory #: 190413 Category Antique Pistols - Flintlock Handguns - European Pistols Seller's Information With dueling pistols, Hollywood loves to show to adversaries starting back to back and walking off a set number of paces before turning to fire. (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. The refinished stock is also very good and has some dings and worn spots in the otherwise distinct checkering, some faint hairline cracks and repairs in the forend, hammering marks on the butt, and general dings and scratches throughout. Holster pistols, or horse pistols were used on horseback and carried in pairs in a leather holster slung across a horse's saddle. (10.5 cm); Wt. 0.5 oz. (6.7 cm); W. 17 1/2 in. Cobra Derringers are beautifully handcrafted with a wide range of calibers and barrel lengths that provides versatile and reliable service for a lifetime. Pair of Four-Barreled Turnover Percussion Pistols of Henry Pelham Fiennes Pelham-Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne (17851851), with Pair of Box-Lock Turn-Off Pocket Pistols, Case, and Accessories, Double-Barrel Breech-Loading Pinfire Shotgun, Breech-Loading Rimfire Cartridge Pistol with Case and Accessories. In some duels, the pistols were carefully and identically loaded, and each duellist was offered his choice of the indistinguishable loaded pistols. Contrary to popular belief, duelling pistols were made as a cased pair, not to provide a weapon for each adversary but rather so each adversary could have a second pistol if a second shot was required. It also breaks from the longstanding tradition of decorative opulence in fine Continental European firearms.London gunmakers favored subtle embellishments that complemented the firearms deliberate and meticulous assemblies. Tools and Accesories. He died early the next morning. Travelling pistols, also known as overcoat pistols, were intended for use by travellers to protect themselves from highwaymen and footpads; unlike duelling pistols, they were commonly rifled. Upon the signal, they could advance towards one another and choose when to fire. This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. (22.7 g); glass bottle (f): H. 1 1/2 in. Like most of the earlier English dueling pistols, this pair has a lighter build. Spring Steel. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. Gunsmith John Barton British. Geoff Walker trading as The Flintlock Collection - All Rights Reserved The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. SOLD. Stoneys dying wish was that Mary would marry him. He was dead within thirty-six hours. Often the duelists would each select one pistol from a cased pair, but in some duels they would each use one of their own, and if a second round of fire was demanded they could use the other. The 9 5/8"" octagon 64 caliber swamped smooth bore barrel has a fair bore with pitting. A Scarce Double Barrel Pocket Pistol . Duelling pistols are often single-shot flintlock or percussion black-powder pistols which fire a lead ball. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. The pistols used in the Hamilton=Burr duel, which belonged to Hamiltons brother-in-law. Not surprisingly, the few duels in which Wogdons pistols were known to have been used took place between opponents who were well-known public figures. 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. The overall length of the pistols is 16in and the smooth-bore octagonal barrels are 29-bore. 0.00. 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 ultimate pocket pistol, derringer handguns are lightweight, compact, and can easily be tucked away in a pocket or purse. Four years later, in 1808, Burr met Jeremy Bentham, the noted English philosopher, and Bentham claimed to have been certain of his (Burrs) ability to kill Hamilton. Impact Guns is the gun shop for all your shooting needs. Given both men had time to take deliberate aim, neither may walk away unscathed, and the chance of death was high. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments. [7], The most famous and innovative manufacturers were London-based companies such as Wogdon & Barton, Durs Egg, Manton, Mortimer, Nock, and Purdey. Patron of that Leaden death. As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes. Standard flintlock pistols can have a noticeable delay between pulling the trigger and actually firing the bullet unless precisely tuned. In addition to the renown quality of his pistols in his own time, Wogdon is arguably the most recognized maker of dueling pistols known today because of the pair used in the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr that ended with Hamilton fatally wounded. Reliability was important because if a duellist's pistol failed to fire, he was considered to have taken his shot and was not permitted to re-cock the pistol and try shooting again. Hamilton languished until 2 p.m. on July 12, 1804. (9.6 mm); Wt. As the smoke cleared, Alexander Hamilton lay mortally wounded. If Hamilton were to admit to Burrs charge, which was substantially true, he would lose his honour. 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. The Duke had earlier indicated to Colonel Lennox that he wished to desire no protection from his rank. Colonel Burrs shot struck home and General Hamilton fell almost instantly. [11] The short range most duels took place at, combined with the accuracy of rifled pistols meant their use substantially increased the chances of a fatality during a duel. He died on September 14, 1836, a poor and broken man, on the same day that the divorce was finalized. 15". [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. [20], The use of pistols in duels became popular in the United Kingdom, France, and colonial America during the mid-eighteenth century. 0.00. 15"". All the shooter has to do to set the trigger is press it forward, something readily found in examination by anyone knowledgeable with dueling pistols, and a feature I would expect the seconds to explain if one or both duelists was inexperienced. 7626 Westheimer @ Voss, Houston, Texas 77063. (1219 g); powder flask (b): H. 4 1/8 in. More Info. 1.3 oz. 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. Although sometimes the duellists would use their own pistols so the weapons would be different. A Rare Pair Of 40-Bore Flintlock Overcoat Or Travelling PistolsBy Wogdon & Barton Of London, Circa 1800. 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. The name Robert Wogdon is one that appears frequently in tales of the most infamous duels. (36.9 g); bullet mould (d): L. 4 13/16 (12.2 cm); Cal. Stoney demanded Bate reveal the author of these articles; Bate refused and Stoney challenged him to a duel as the Countess of Strathmores champion. 0.8 oz. More has been written about this duel than any other in American history. The engraving on the escutcheon merits further research. The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can now connect to the most up-to-date data and images for more than 470,000 artworks in The Met collection. Gunmaker John Rigby indicated this was done by Wogdon to try to remedy the fact that duelists often fired high and missed their mark, but in reality bending the bore down would not have helped, and shooting high could have been more easily remedied by different height sights. The victor is presumed to be the just party in the case because the divine would have chosen the winner. John OSullivan and De Witt Bailey chart the life and work of the gunmaker known for his duelling pistols in their new book, Robert Wogdon, Wogdon & Barton, John Barton, London Gunmakers 1764-1819. 1 lb. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. In Britain, the favoured type was for the duellists to stand still at an agreed distance and shoot when given the signal. The custom fitted case has a later three-compartment powder flasks, balls, and an original section from the ramrod of gun "A." Churchs pair supposedly had concealed set triggers, but in reality, set triggers were a standard feature of these pistols rather than a secret designed to give one duelist an advantage over the other, and that pair simply did not have a visible adjustment screw. There are currently no customer product questions on this lot. Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. Patron of that Leaden death!" Look at any Wogdon duelling pistol, be it one from his early production years in the mid-1770s or one made towards the end of his career when in partnership with John Barton in the early 1800s, and they all have that unmistakable Wogdon style. Their "saw handle" stocks are one of just many designs English gunmakers experimented with in their efforts to create deadly accurate dueling pistols. Wogdon & Barton dueling pistols Wogdon & Barton (founded by Robert Wogdon) was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. (10 cm); Wt. (44.5 cm); D. 6 3/4 in. The overall length is approx. Dueling pistol makers continued to innovate through the end of the flintlock era and into the percussion era. The circumstances of the duel began when the Duke of York let it be known, that Colonel Lennox had heard words spoken to him at Daubignys [a gentlemans club] to which no gentleman ought to have submitted. The trigger guard finial is an engraved acorn. Engraved in gold on the barrel: ARGer DE L'EMPEREUR. By 1780, Wogdon had settled on the final form for his duelling pistols and saw no reason for any . The crest and monogram strongly suggest they may have belonged to Wogdons son-in-law, William Butt Jnr. He left no records and never used serial numbers on his guns. 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. (30.3 cm); Cal. 3 lb. [2] Patron of that Leaden death!" In London, the first recorded pistol duel was in 1711[Note 1] but the use of pistols was unusual until the 1760s. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Both pistols have their original iron-tipped ramrods with an attached worm at the end. At first glance, the surviving pistol is not immediately recognisable as the work of Robert Wogdon. Colonel Lennox and the Duke, accompanied by their seconds, met on Wimbledon Common on the morning of 26 May. Burr, with his political prospects already fading, demanded an explanation of what Hamilton had said about him, and a series of notes were exchanged. 15". Hamiltons pistol went off and struck the ground. He completed his term as Vice-President but his political career was effectively over. The barrels on earlier guns were cylindrical, while later ones tended to be octagonal. Flints. The guns had several special features, including heavy brass forends for steadier aim and both front and rear sights for a more accurate shot. (10 cm); Wt. 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. 14.75". He went perilously close to putting a ball through the dukes head, grazing one of the royal curls an action which would not have improved his military career prospects. As part of, Samuel Brunn (English, London, recorded 17951820), Louis Perrin (French, Paris, active 182365), James Purdey the Elder (British, London 17841863 Margate), J. C. A. Brun (French, Paris, active 184972), Louis Nicolas Auguste Flobert (French, Paris, 18191894). Special care was taken when moulding the lead bullets to ensure that there were no voids which would affect accuracy. 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. He died in 1813, and by that time hundreds of men are believed to have been injured or killed by his pistols in duels. Mary Eleanor Bowes was the richest heiress in England at that time. 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. The barrels have a decorative band around the breech end. One could be excused for not recognising the pistols used in the Hamilton-Burr duel as having been made by the famous Wogdon. Thereafter they quickly took over and after 1785 it was rare for a sword duel to be fought in London. Lot 1278: Cased pair of Walter Adams percussion dueling pistols. Gunmakers to Bow St. Police, 1801-3. They resulted in the deaths of two men from an illustrious American family just a few years apart. In some situations, the duelist who had already fired was also supposed to keep advancing until the opponent had fired. Churchs Wogdon & Barton pistols were used on July 11, 1804, close to where the young Hamilton had been mortally wounded. [12], Pairs of duelling pistols can be easily confused with holster pistols and travelling pistols. At a meeting three days later of officers of the Coldstream Guards to deliberate on whether Colonel Lennox had behaved as became an officer and gentleman, the officers resolved: It is the opinion of the Coldstream Regiment that Colonel Lennox had behaved with courage but from the peculiar difficulty of his case, not with judgement. Soon afterwards Colonel Lennox resigned his commission in the Duke of Yorks regiment. Colonel Lennox fired and the ball grazed one of his Royal Highness curls. (41 cm); L. of barrel 11 15/16 in. We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. The poem later references him again and notes, "This death we lay not, Wogdon to thy blame; Cullum must have his fame as well as you. 344. Where neither principal owned a pistol, then a pair might be produced to be shared. Although best suited for military use, they were often owned by civilians. At the time, the Duke of York, second son of the reigning King George III, was Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, and one Charles Lennox, nephew and heir to the Duke of Richmond, was Lieutenant-Colonel of the same regiment. 37.154.3ag. (39.4 cm); Wt. With John Barton traded as Wogdon & Barton, from 1795, succeeded by Barton, 1803. The breech plug tangs, butt caps, and trigger guards have decorative engraving. Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols. Burr was never tried for Hamiltons death, but rather than revive his political career, the duel was its death knell. When a duel was fought with a single pair of pistols it was because neither duellist owned their own and the pistols were supplied by a third party. Lot 1275: Cased Pair of Griffin & Tow flintlock dueling pistols circa 1780. Alternatively, the duelists might exchange shots in turn instead of firing at the same time as was the case in the Laurens-Grimk duel in 1775. Whatever its origin, the name Wogdon certainly has a funereal ring to it, and very appropriate for the gunmaker whose duelling pistols were to send many men to their premature deaths. There was not just a single form for a proper duel. No details as to the pistol used by the Duke of York have so far been found. The duelists would take their allotted place and then fire upon a signal from one of the seconds such as the dropping of a handkerchief with a set amount of time to fire after the signal had been given. .36 in (9.3 mm); Wt. (136.1 g); cleaning rod (c): L. 15 1/2 in. Wogdon retired in 1803 and died in 1813. 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. (17.1 cm); Wt. One Theophilus Swift was to write a pamphlet on the affair, taking the Dukes side. Stoney Bowes was to spend the remaining 22 years of his life as a prisoner, his mounting debts still unpaid, and still pursuing yet more legal avenues to regain control of Marys fortune. Eacker had called the two young men damned rascals.. Other Materials. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver, and the latter have a monogram that appears to be the initials "LD." When General Hamilton arrived, the seconds measured out the distance, 10 full paces, and cast lots for the choice of position. Of course if you could hit your opponent first, you might not have to be fired upon at all. While the design looks a bit odd, the author has found most sawhandle pistols point very naturally.