[7], The most famous and innovative manufacturers were London-based companies such as Wogdon & Barton, Durs Egg, Manton, Mortimer, Nock, and Purdey. 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. The Mantons, Griffin & Tow, H.W. To refuse to take part in the duel would have had the same result. 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. A Rifled Pocket Pistol by Smith. Burr, with his political prospects already fading, demanded an explanation of what Hamilton had said about him, and a series of notes were exchanged. Rogers Fund, 1937, Accession Number: 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. Purpose-built duelling pistols have various improvements to make them more reliable and accurate. (17.1 cm); Wt. 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 guns had several special features, including heavy brass forends for steadier aim and both front and rear sights for a more accurate shot. 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. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/29592. 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. [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. 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. He then fled to Europe where he continued to conspire to steal land in the West. 0.8 oz. The 9 5/8"" octagon 64 caliber swamped smooth bore barrel has a fair bore with pitting. 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. Duelling pistols have long and heavy barrels - the added weight helped steady aim and reduce recoil. 12.9 oz. When General Hamilton arrived, the seconds measured out the distance, 10 full paces, and cast lots for the choice of position. Colonel Lennox wrote a circular to every member of Daubignys asking whether such words had been used about him and requesting an answer within the next seven days, adding that no reply would be considered equivalent to a declaration that nothing had been said. This supremely elegant target pistol is among their most accomplished work. A Scarce Double Barrel Pocket Pistol . 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. 4.8 oz. Mechanically fine. One Theophilus Swift was to write a pamphlet on the affair, taking the Dukes side. Hosted and Maintained by TwoPointZero IT. More Info. The barrels have a decorative band around the breech end. Their "saw handle" stocks are one of just many designs English gunmakers experimented with in their efforts to create deadly accurate dueling pistols. 14.75"". Famous for duelling pistols. The butt cap and trigger guard are polished bright. After he forcibly abducted Mary to the north of England, a warrant was issued for Stoney Bowes arrest. 0.00. Dueling pistols hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy The duel took place at exactly the same place where Philips father was to meet Aaron Burr three years later. The overall length is approx. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. 344. When it came down to staring down an opponent, many men put their trust in gunmakers like Robert Wogdon rather than divine intervention. (39.4 cm); Wt. Antique Dueling Pistols for Sale | Rock Island Auction Hamilton did not elaborate but indicated his remarks were political, not personal, which would imply that Burrs honor had not been drawn into question. 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. London proof marks and RW barrel makers mark. He was only 19 years old. In Britain, the favoured type was for the duellists to stand still at an agreed distance and shoot when given the signal. Philip was mortally wounded, and died in agony the following day. Its the story of a, In 1873, two of America's greatest gunmakers would unveil the defining arms of the era. Finally, a published letter made reference to a particularly despicable opinion Hamilton had expressed about Burr. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. .36 in (9.3 mm); Wt. 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. 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. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Although their purpose was combat or self-defense, holster pistols were used on occasion to fight duels. The surviving Lennox pistol used in a duel with the Duke of York. 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. [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". Description The barrels are 10 octagonal, sighted, browned twist with bore size of .476 and scratch rifled. Thus, firing too early might make you more likely to miss and have to risk being shot at from a shorter range. Mortimer & Son dueling pistols was presented by the Prince Regent to Spanish rebel Francisco Sayus in 1811 and was later owned by Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen R. Mallory. ANTIQUE Engraved WOGDON FLINTLOCK Dueling Pistol Pistol Maker of the 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. But if the first to fire missed, he was required to stand still and wait for his opponent's shot. Eacker had called the two young men damned rascals.. Nonetheless, smoothbore dueling pistols, generally around 28 bore (.54 caliber), were the weapons of choice by the late 18th century. In some instances multiple rounds were fired without injury. 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 . This is a very nice pair of dueling pistols by a well-known maker of quality flintlock pistols. 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. 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. 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. This rare public showing marked the first time these pistols have been displayed in Washington, D.C. Church himself had fought a bloodless duel with Burr a few years earlier. Wogdon & Barton | Flintlock Target Pistol of Prince William Frederick 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. 15". Wogdon & Barton - Wikipedia Gunmakers to Bow St. Police, 1801-3. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. Browse SCHEELS selection of handguns and pistols featuring top brands like Glock, SIG, Smith & Wesson, & more. Lot 3248 in the upcoming August 26-28 Premier Auction: A classic pair of Wogdon dueling pistols from circa 1780. 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. Firearms-Pistols-Flintlock, Credit Line: The events leading up to the duel, the newspaper articles, the near fatal injuries Stoney had suffered, had all been a complete sham engineered by Stoney and Bate to trick Bowes into marriage, giving Stoney control over her huge fortune. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The breech plug tangs, butt caps, and trigger guards have decorative engraving. Duelling Pistols | Unique Arms Collector Remarkable design and engineering continues to mark out the British gun trade. A Rare Pair Of 40-Bore Flintlock Overcoat Or Travelling PistolsBy Wogdon & Barton Of London, Circa 1800. The ultimate pocket pistol, derringer handguns are lightweight, compact, and can easily be tucked away in a pocket or purse. 1.5 oz. [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. WOGDON & BARTON. Both pistols have their original iron-tipped ramrods with an attached worm at the end. Often if one duelist had not fired around the same time, they would not even return fire unless they were seriously at odds with their opponent. Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API. As the smoke cleared, Alexander Hamilton lay mortally wounded. During his lifetime Wogdons pistols were considered to be of unsurpassed quality and reliability, to the point that they were even sold to clients in North America. Wogdon apprenticed to Edward Newton in 1748, according to Howard Blackmore in Gunmakers of London, 1350-1850. After he finished his apprenticeship, he ran his own shop and then partnered with John Barton in 1795 and retired in 1803. British, London, Medium: They, and the cocks, have raised decorative edges. Robert Wogdon (British, 17341813), Gunsmith: The overall length of the pistols is 16in and the smooth-bore octagonal barrels are 29-bore. Wogdon was partnered with John Barton at 14 Haymarket Street in London in 1795-1803. At some stage after they left Wogdons shop their original elegant full stocks were replaced with rather ugly heavy bronze fore-ends, perhaps to add muzzle weight to shift the centre of balance and reduce barrel flip. (1219 g); powder flask (b): H. 4 1/8 in. He completed his term as Vice-President but his political career was effectively over. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. Wogdon's Dueling Pistols: Patron of that Leaden Death Price and Eacker exchanged shots multiple times the following day without injury and considered their affair settled. Pistols with calibers of 0.45in (11mm), 0.52in (13mm), 0.58in (15mm) or even 0.65in (17mm) were common. 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 plot was foiled, but he was acquitted. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. Wood for Gunsmithing and restoration. Wogdon made the pistols used in the infamous BurrHamilton duel, which were later claimed to have concealed "hair triggers" (also known as set triggers). Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. Cased Pair of Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. (136.1 g); cleaning rod (c): L. 15 1/2 in. Burrs intention seems quite clear. Taking deliberate aim, was considered vicious and discouraged. Had Lennox refused to challenge the Duke, his reputation as an officer and a gentleman would have been irrevocably compromised. 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. [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. The Duke of York had publicly insulted him and had virtually accused him of cowardice. The victor is presumed to be the just party in the case because the divine would have chosen the winner. The poem alludes to fate but suggests a duelists destiny lay in Wogdons hand. Bentham concluded that Burr was little better than a murderer. Pistols with rifled barrels spin-stabilize the shot when it is fired, resulting in much improved accuracy. They have small blade front and fixed notch rear sights. They are immediately recognizable by their elegant proportions, restrained ornament, and technical refinement. (10 cm); Wt. Robert Wogdon, a gunmaker most famous for his dueling pistols, partnered with John Barton late in his career. Colonel Lennox fired and the ball grazed one of his Royal Highness curls. Lennox replied that he could not consider His Royal Highness as any other than the son of his King. One of the most common varieties was having a set number of paces walked off and the positions marked in advance. 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. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. Handguns and Pistols for Sale | Impact Guns [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. 1.3 oz. (41 cm); L. of barrel 11 15/16 in. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. One could be excused for not recognising the pistols used in the Hamilton-Burr duel as having been made by the famous Wogdon. 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.. During the late 19th and the early 20th centuries, duelling became a sport in which shooters fired at each other using non-lethal rounds. Wogdon & Barton dueling pistols Wogdon & Barton (founded by Robert Wogdon) was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. 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. In London, the first recorded pistol duel was in 1711[Note 1] but the use of pistols was unusual until the 1760s. 1834); Theodore Offerman, New York (until d. 1937; his estate sale, American Art Association-Anderson Galleries, Inc., New York, November 1113, 1937, no. Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols. For example, if God was sure to choose the innocent, then he could guide a ball to the proper target no matter how inaccurate the pistol, but duelists sought out pistols by gunmakers known for reliability and accuracy, and some practiced shooting at targets to ensure their aim was true. Robert Wogdon & John Barton Gunmakers, 14 Haymarket, 1795-1803. Duelling pistols are often single-shot flintlock or percussion black-powder pistols which fire a lead ball. More Info. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. 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. 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. Tools for metal. A PAIR OF FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOLS BY WOGDON & BARTON, LONDON, CIRCA 1800 With octagonal signed barrels each retaining much original browned finish to the underside, gold-lined touch-holes, deeply scroll engraved tangs, signed flat bevelled bolted locks each with roller, gold-lined priming-pan and some original faded case-hardened finish, set triggers, figured walnut full stocks, engraved . The locks are signed "Wogdon/&/Barton" and have frizzen rollers, sliding half-cock safeties, and stepped tails. [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.