wogdon and barton dueling pistols

The custom fitted case has a later three-compartment powder flasks, balls, and an original section from the ramrod of gun "A." The surviving Lennox pistol used in a duel with the Duke of York. The 10"" swamped at the muzzle octagon 67 caliber smooth bore barrels have good bores with light roughness. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. Of course if you could hit your opponent first, you might not have to be fired upon at all. At first glance, the surviving pistol is not immediately recognisable as the work of Robert Wogdon. As the distance closed they could fire at will. Wogdon retired in 1803 and died in 1813. Read British gunmakers of the 21st century for more about the companies continuing a long tradition. 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. The name Wogdon or, as it was sometimes recorded, Wogden or Wegden, suggests its origin might have been in some long-forgotten ancient craft or trade, or the name of one of the more than 3,000 lost medieval villages, the names of which have long since disappeared from the map. Hamilton was morally and religiously opposed to dueling and is widely believed to have intended to delope (throw away his shot) rather than aim at Burr. The overall length is approx. The guns had several special features, including heavy brass forends for steadier aim and both front and rear sights for a more accurate shot. John Barton (British, recorded 17951819), Culture: Burr was never tried for Hamiltons death, but rather than revive his political career, the duel was its death knell. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 1.3 oz. With John Barton traded as Wogdon & Barton, from 1795, succeeded by Barton, 1803. Wogdon retired in 1803 and died in 1813. Colonel Burr arrived first. 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. Each 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 including trigger guard with pineapple finial, horn tipped ramrod; contained in their original baize lined mahogany case with accessories including a leather bodied flask, flint wallet and cleaning rod, the exterior with recessed brass carrying handle. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. There are currently no customer product questions on this lot. It has an iron blade front sight and standing notch rear sight (these were often used as target pistols) at the breech tang and a gold lined vert. Once one man fired, he was generally expected to stand at that spot and await his opponents shot within the remaining time and before crossing the barrier. 4.8 oz. Not all fine, antique pairs of pistols are duelling pistols, though they may be called so. A Scarce Double Barrel Pocket Pistol . 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. British Flintlock Dueling Pistol by Wogdon for sale. - Collectors Firearms To refuse to take part in the duel would have had the same result. Mary had already filed for divorce, unheard of in 18th-century England, and this only added to her notoriety. 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.. He then fled to Europe where he continued to conspire to steal land in the West. This is famously represented in the book and film The Last Duel. 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. The overall length is approx. 0.00. An eagle is engraved on the headband. Their "saw handle" stocks are one of just many designs English gunmakers experimented with in their efforts to create deadly accurate dueling pistols. 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. Flints. The 9 5/8" octagon 64 caliber swamped smooth bore barrel has a fair bore . RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. Guns International #: 102053710 Seller's Inventory #: AH6322. 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. The engraving on the escutcheon merits further research. The poem alludes to fate but suggests a duelists destiny lay in Wogdons hand. 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. Taking deliberate aim, was considered vicious and discouraged. Impact also services the needs of law enforcement and military with our wide variety of tactical weapons and . As the challenged party, Hamilton selected Churchs pistols as the weapons. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. "Pair of Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols (AH6322)" for sale online. Hamilton had opposed Burrs political campaigns since the 1790s, and letters were published indicating Hamilton at a dinner expressed his opposition to Burr politically, called him a dangerous man, and held a still more despicable opinion of Burr. (1219 g); powder flask (b): H. 4 1/8 in. Colonel Lennox and the Duke, accompanied by their seconds, met on Wimbledon Common on the morning of 26 May. 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. The Faur Le Page company of France made special pistols for sport duelling. London proof marks and RW barrel makers mark. 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. 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.. 15"". Wogdon & Barton (founded by Robert Wogdon) was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. Stoney was to make Marys life a nightmare, subjecting her and her children to eight years of continuing physical and mental abuse, including threats of rape and murder. The lock, which is bright along with the cock, is marked in script ""Wogdon"". 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. Two shots are believed to have rung out almost simultaneously. [3], In continental Europe, the use of smooth-bored pistols was considered cowardly, and rifled pistols were the norm. These consisted of wax bullets in a cartridge without any powder charge; the bullet was propelled only by the explosion of the cartridge's primer. Wogdons guns were designed to be aimed quickly, reliably fire, and shoot true. 0.5 oz. The breech plug tangs, butt caps, and trigger guards have decorative engraving. Dueling Pistols for Collectors: Ultimate Collectors Guide - 2020 From about 1790 firearms were generally fitted with mahogany cases, whose interiors were lined with green baize (woolen cloth) and subdivided into discrete compartments for the weapon, tools, and accessories. As a result, duelling pistols with rifled barrels were considered unsporting by many, although there was no unfairness so long as the pistols were identical. Somewhat reluctantly, Mary agreed and four days later Stoney was carried on a stretcher down the aisle of St Jamess Church, Piccadilly, to marry Mary Elizabeth Bowes, Dowager Countess of Strathmore. [18] For an eye-witness account of such a duel, see Reynolds (1839).[14]. The barrels on earlier guns were cylindrical, while later ones tended to be octagonal. Many later pistols have heavier barrels and half-stocks while the early pistols are lighter and full-stocked. The only recorded Wogdon pistol with a brass barrel, hallmarked 1791. 0.00. Robert Wogdon, a gunmaker most famous for his dueling pistols, partnered with John Barton late in his career. Duelling Pistols | Unique Arms Collector 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. These were break action, single-shot weapons that were fitted with a shield in front of the trigger, to protect the hand holding the pistol. The plot was foiled, but he was acquitted. Pistols with calibers of 0.45in (11mm), 0.52in (13mm), 0.58in (15mm) or even 0.65in (17mm) were common. 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. Wogdon & Barton - Wikipedia Like that pair, these pistols have "concealed" single set triggers, a standard feature of their pistols rather than a secret designed to give one duelist an advantage over the other. Scroll left to view more. 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. The seconds turned their backs, so they could deny being credible witnesses to what transpired should they be drawn into court. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. This article about a company of the UK is a stub. 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. To this day, debate still rages as to whether Alexander Hamilton deliberately fired high over Burrs head to demonstrate he had no intention of shooting Burr, or whether his pistol prematurely discharged due to the set trigger before he could properly bring his pistol to bear. Many of Wogdons pistols have bent barrels. 15". Although their purpose was combat or self-defense, holster pistols were used on occasion to fight duels. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/29592. The stock on gun 2 is fine with no cracks or chips and the dents and dings expected of light to moderate use. (1726.5 g). The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. This could certainly be a risky proposition if you didnt get to shoot first. That may have been one option, but it doesnt appear to have been common. Burrs intention seems quite clear. 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. Wogdon & Barton was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. There's a lot going on in this escutcheon! It is also only the second pair of Wogdons known with 16-sided barrels. "The Best Damn Gunshop in the World" There were also varieties of barrier duels in which the duelist started a set number of paces apart with a barrier in the center. One of a pair of silver-mounted duelling pistols, hallmarked 1776, with the first recorded use of the helmet and falchion side-plate. From 9mm to 45 ACP, find the best pistol for you. 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.[6]. Like most of the earlier English dueling pistols, this pair has a lighter build. The hard part would have been shooting both accurately and quickly with your life on the line. 0.5 oz. Pistols - garthvincent.com Handguns, Pistols, & Revolvers | SCHEELS.com SOLD. The bow and butt cap also show engraving. A pair of duels in the early 19th century in America have done much to fix Wogdons name in American memory. This pair is rifled, something forbidden by the 18th century dueling codes but that became more accepted in the 19th century, especially in continental Europe where it became standard. This resulted in the death of a Member of Parliament, An account of an 1825 duel in Paris between two Irishmen states that one brought his pair of English, "Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols ca. [12], It is often stated that duelling pistols came in identical pairs to put each duellist on an equal footing. WOGDON & BARTON. 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. Although sometimes the duellists would use their own pistols so the weapons would be different. But you had never gained so great a name, In England had your pistols killed as few." Purpose-built duelling pistols have various improvements to make them more reliable and accurate. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. 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. His Royal Highness replied he should say nothing, after which all parties left the ground. [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. 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. Rogers Fund, 1937, Accession Number: There is an oval escutcheon at the wrist that has the initials GL and, in very small letters at the top of the arc, ""FOR RIGHT AND REASON"". 283, sold to MMA). Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item, Title: Click here for more information. Finally, a published letter made reference to a particularly despicable opinion Hamilton had expressed about Burr. He died in 1813, and by that time hundreds of men are believed to have been injured or killed by his pistols in duels. (39.4 cm); Wt. This nice single dueling flintlock pistol by a very well known maker is ready for your English flintlock pistol collection. Robert Wogdon - Cased pair of Flintlock Duelling pistols In some situations, the duelist who had already fired was also supposed to keep advancing until the opponent had fired. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Today, those walnut, brass, and gold pistols are located in the headquarters of J.P. Morgan Chase, on 277 Park Avenue in New York City. Pistols with rifled barrels spin-stabilize the shot when it is fired, resulting in much improved accuracy. [15], A further type of duel, known as a barrier duel or a duel volont (at pleasure) had the duellists walk towards each other. Cobra Firearms - Omaha Outdoors Standard flintlock pistols can have a noticeable delay between pulling the trigger and actually firing the bullet unless precisely tuned. Duelling pistols are often single-shot flintlock or percussion black-powder pistols which fire a lead ball. Wogdon & Barton | The Flintlock Collection If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. Wogdon made the pistols used in the infamous BurrHamilton duel, which were later claimed to have concealed "hair triggers" (also known as set triggers). Poem, Stanzas on Duelling, by an Irish Volunteer, 1783, began Hail Wogden, Patron of that Leaden death. A serious pistol shot would practise with his own pair and would be reluctant to provide one of his pistols to his adversary. A duelling pistol is a type of pistol that was manufactured in matching pairs to be used in a duel, when duels were customary. These shots were fired at 25 yards with rapid dueling style aim rather than carefully deliberate aim. Wogdon & Barton dueling pistols Wogdon & Barton (founded by Robert Wogdon) was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. Both parties presented and fired in succession. 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. Collecting, preserving, researching, publishing, and exhibiting distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. (36.9 g); bullet mould (d): L. 4 13/16 (12.2 cm); Cal. Lock plates engraved Wogdon & Barton, having push-on half-cock safeties, semi-rain proof pans, and roller frizzen springs (one spring repaired). 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. In Britain, the favoured type was for the duellists to stand still at an agreed distance and shoot when given the signal. A Very Fine Cased Pair of 28-Bore Duelling Pistols. The usual duelling distance of 12 paces was measured out and it was agreed that both parties would fire at the given signal. 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. Famous for duelling pistols. A Flintlock Duelling Pistol by Wogdon and Barton - Garth Vincent Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols. 0.00. Literature: For similar examples see Robert Wogdon, Wogdon & Barton, John Barton by John OSullivan & De Witt Bailey pp 180 185. Pistol Flintcock by Wogdon and Barton 28.5mm LH [Note 3], Most English pistols had smooth bores, though some had scratch rifling, a subtle form of rifling which was difficult to see with the naked eye. This supremely elegant target pistol is among their most accomplished work. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Pistols at Dawn | Tennants Auctioneers Tools for wood. Who Shot First? A History Of Famous Duels - Wideners Shooting, Hunting This is an edited extract from Robert Wogdon, Wogdon & Barton, John Barton, London Gunmakers 1764-1819, price 75, published by Bonhams. The breech plug tangs, butt caps, and trigger guards have decorative engraving. [7] The bullets loaded in them could weigh 214 grains (0.49 ounces; 13.9 grams) in .52 caliber, or more in larger calibers. Pair of Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols (AH6322), 7626 Westheimer @ Voss, Houston, Texas 77063. However, in some duels where the parties truly despised one another and the insults had been particularly serious, the adversaries agreed to duel until one of them was too injured to go on or killed. Impact Guns is the gun shop for all your shooting needs. But you had never gained so great a name, In England had your pistols killed as few." Wogdon had apprenticed to the Irish gunmaker Edward Norton in Lincolnshire. 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. Although best suited for military use, they were often owned by civilians. (44.5 cm); D. 6 3/4 in. This was a legal proceeding in which a persons guilt or innocence was determined by the outcome of a fight. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. Robert Wogdon, London | The Flintlock Collection ANTIQUE Engraved WOGDON FLINTLOCK Dueling Pistol Pistol Maker of the Pistols Used in the BURR-HAMILTON Duel! More Info. Flintlock Duelling Pistol by Robert Wogdon. SN 8772 A cased pair of half-stocked duelling pistols dated 1793. The 9 5/8"" octagon 64 caliber swamped smooth bore barrel has a fair bore with pitting. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. 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. [2] The name Wogdon became synonymous with dueling, to the extent that duels in England were sometimes referred to as "a Wogdon affair". 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. Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. 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 next day it was Hamiltons turn to face Eacker at ten paces. As the smoke cleared, Alexander Hamilton lay mortally wounded. Both sets of pistols have single set triggers. British, London, Medium: 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. Until the mid-18th century, duels were typically fought with swords. Two Engraved English Flintlock Pistols -A) Desirable Wogdon & Barton Dueling PistolWogdon dueling pistols are among the most historical and were used in the most famous of all American duels: the Burr-Hamilton affair. Mechanically fine. (17.1 cm); Wt. 14.75"". This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. 0.8 oz. The Duke of York had publicly insulted him and had virtually accused him of cowardice. As John Norris writes in Pistols at Dawn: A History of Duelling, Wogdons name has unarguably become more closely associated with dueling pistols than any other gunsmith of the period, and has come to epitomize these specialized firearms. The pistols have smoothbore Damascus barrels with gold vent liners, dovetailed silver blade front sights, "Wogdon & Barton London" signed on top, registration markings for County Down in Ireland, engraved borders at the breech, and casehardened standing breeches with fixed notch rear sights and engraving. Pistol Kits; Chemicals and Compounds. 0.8 oz. Cased Pair of Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols 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. Hamilton did not elaborate but indicated his remarks were political, not personal, which would imply that Burrs honor had not been drawn into question. 0.00. (10.5 cm); Wt. The Colt Single Action Army revolver and the Winchester Model. The barrels have a decorative band around the breech end. The barrels were given a blued or browned finish to reduce glare. After one man had fired, the other could fire within the remaining allotted time. [20], The use of pistols in duels became popular in the United Kingdom, France, and colonial America during the mid-eighteenth century. 14.75"". The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. The Burr-Hamilton duel pistols were originally in a very similar configuration to this pair. 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. SOLD. Had Lennox refused to challenge the Duke, his reputation as an officer and a gentleman would have been irrevocably compromised. The Duke had earlier indicated to Colonel Lennox that he wished to desire no protection from his rank. 7 oz. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. They, and the cocks, have raised decorative edges. Died aged 79. 37.154.3ag. In the late 18th century and early 19th century in Europe as well as America, if a gentleman, or in rare cases a lady, or someone close to them faced an insult, they were expected to demand a proper apology or satisfaction., To refuse or decline a challenge risked their reputation and being posted as a poltroon (an utter coward).