Colonel Burrs shot struck home and General Hamilton fell almost instantly. When his second wife divorced him in 1834, Alexander Hamilton Jr. served as her lawyer. 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. One Theophilus Swift was to write a pamphlet on the affair, taking the Dukes side. Poem, Stanzas on Duelling, by an Irish Volunteer, 1783, began Hail Wogden, Patron of that Leaden death. The actions on both pistols function correctly. 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. 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. 0.5 oz. Churchs Wogdon & Barton pistols were used on July 11, 1804, close to where the young Hamilton had been mortally wounded. Patron of that Leaden death!" [19] Participants wore heavy, protective clothing and a metal helmet, similar to a fencing mask but with an eye-screen of thick glass. Wogdon was partnered with John Barton at 14 Haymarket Street in London in 1795-1803. Collectors Firearms, LLC. The overall length is approx. (6.7 cm); W. 17 1/2 in. The engraving on the escutcheon merits further research. A North African Flintlock Pistol . Patron of that Leaden death!" Mechanically fine. 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. Gunsmith Robert Wogdon British .38 in. 14.75"". 0.00. John Barton (British, recorded 17951819), Culture: A pair of duels in the early 19th century in America have done much to fix Wogdons name in American memory. Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols. A duelling pistol is a type of pistol that was manufactured in matching pairs to be used in a duel, when duels were customary. 0.8 oz. Her promiscuous behaviour was well known and a series of anonymous, scurrilous articles with barely veiled references to her appeared in Reverend Bates Morning Post. [1] The name Wogdon became synonymous with dueling, to the extent that duels in England were sometimes referred to as "a Wogdon affair". Read British gunmakers of the 21st century for more about the companies continuing a long tradition. Colonel Burr arrived first. 15"". 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. There's a lot going on in this escutcheon! 20002023 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. While other well-known English gunmakers such as Joseph Manton manufactured fine dueling pistols, Wogdon specialized in them. Many of Wogdons pistols have bent barrels. Colonel Lennox fired and the ball grazed one of his Royal Highness curls. Compounds and Solutions for Metals. The top center of the oval has what appears to be some kind of bird figure and a sword. The sliding-safety locks are marked in script ""Wogdon"" over ""&"" over ""Barton"". 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. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. A duelling pistol is a type of pistol that was manufactured in matching pairs to be used in a duel, when duels were customary. The overall length is approx. (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. With John Barton traded as Wogdon & Barton, from 1795, succeeded by Barton, 1803. [18] For an eye-witness account of such a duel, see Reynolds (1839).[14]. 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. Click here for more information. Holster pistols, or horse pistols were used on horseback and carried in pairs in a leather holster slung across a horse's saddle. 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. [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 trigger guard finial is an engraved acorn. Poem, Stanzas on Duelling, by an Irish Volunteer, 1783, began Hail Wogden! This supremely elegant target pistol is among their most accomplished work. The custom fitted case has a later three-compartment powder flasks, balls, and an original section from the ramrod of gun "A." Burr was unharmed but stood in shock before being rushed away from the scene as was customary. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. The events that culminated in the duel were the result of several years of simmering political differences and antagonism. Fate or divine intervention was a key aspect of the origins of dueling. When General Hamilton arrived, the seconds measured out the distance, 10 full paces, and cast lots for the choice of position. No details as to the pistol used by the Duke of York have so far been found. The refinished stock is good and has some dings and worn spots in the otherwise distinct checkering, crack between the ramrod entry pipe and trigger guard finial, repair above the nose of the lock, and some scattered minor dings and scratches. Other Materials. 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: 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. 14.75"". 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. The victor is presumed to be the just party in the case because the divine would have chosen the winner. [20], The use of pistols in duels became popular in the United Kingdom, France, and colonial America during the mid-eighteenth century. Standard flintlock pistols can have a noticeable delay between pulling the trigger and actually firing the bullet unless precisely tuned. But you had never gained so great a name, In England had your pistols killed as few." [11] A pair of rifled pistols often included a small hammer or mallet as an accessory; they used slightly oversized bullets and a hammer was needed to drive the bullet down the barrel when loading. 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. The remaining furniture is iron and includes classic English engraving, including fine pineapple finials on the trigger guards. Surprisingly, Lee was only lightly wounded and the affair ultimately ended without another exchange, in part due to Alexander Hamiltons role as Laurenss second. (10.5 cm); Wt. 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. 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. By candlelight it was obvious that Stoney had been seriously injured with three stab wounds to the chest. Pistol dueling was an associate (non-medal) event at the 1906 and 1908 Olympic games (see Olympic dueling). (1726.5 g). Stoneys dying wish was that Mary would marry him. The usual duelling distance of 12 paces was measured out and it was agreed that both parties would fire at the given signal. 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. Mary had already filed for divorce, unheard of in 18th-century England, and this only added to her notoriety. 0.8 oz. 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. After he forcibly abducted Mary to the north of England, a warrant was issued for Stoney Bowes arrest. (3.8 cm); Wt. 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. Hosted and Maintained by TwoPointZero IT. Died aged 79. 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. Its long barrel, measuring nearly twelve inches in length, indicates its intended use for targets. [3] Other features were saw handles, platinum-lined touch-holes and hair triggers. However, there is rarely any information as to the type, ownership or maker of the pistols used. The hooks or spurs on the trigger guard can be used with your middle finger to help steady the pistol. Special care was taken when moulding the lead bullets to ensure that there were no voids which would affect accuracy. The barrels have a decorative band around the breech end. A Duelling Pistol by Edwards of Dublin. 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. A major source of income for Robert Wogdon was the production of duelling pistols, though perhaps significantly he never referred in his invoices to his pistols as being duelling pistols, but were rather a neat pair or brace. A Very Fine Cased Pair of 28-Bore Duelling Pistols. 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. 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. Wogdon had apprenticed to the Irish gunmaker Edward Norton in Lincolnshire. Famous for duelling pistols. 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. [7], The most famous and innovative manufacturers were London-based companies such as Wogdon & Barton, Durs Egg, Manton, Mortimer, Nock, and Purdey. 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. By the time duelling with pistols had superseded duelling with swords in the early 1770s, the purpose had shifted from wounding or killing your opponent to demonstrating that, as a man of honour, you were prepared to risk your life to defend your reputation, or that of your family or your regiment. 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 seven days having expired and no club member recollecting to have heard such words, Colonel Lennox felt justified in concluding that they were never uttered. 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. The guns had several special features, including heavy brass forends for steadier aim and both front and rear sights for a more accurate shot. 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 . [13][Note 4], There were various forms of pistol duel. Not all fine, antique pairs of pistols are duelling pistols, though they may be called so. More Info. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. Lot 231: Cased pair of H. Bales flintlock dueling pistols. The whereabouts of the second Wogdon pistol are unknown. (1726.5 g), Classification: 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.. 1.3 oz. [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. Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. 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. Two discarded Wogdon pistols were discovered. (6.7 cm); W. 17 1/2 in. Literature: For similar examples see Robert Wogdon, Wogdon & Barton, John Barton by John OSullivan & De Witt Bailey pp 180 185. Instead, the duelists should fire quickly. 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. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 1.3 oz. 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. The bow and butt cap also show engraving. 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. [3], In continental Europe, the use of smooth-bored pistols was considered cowardly, and rifled pistols were the norm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (36.9 g); bullet mould (d): L. 4 13/16 (12.2 cm); Cal. [2] The name Wogdon became synonymous with dueling, to the extent that duels in England were sometimes referred to as "a Wogdon affair". 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. 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 doctors concluded that Stoneys injuries might well prove fatal. 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"". SOLD. SOLD. Lot 1278: Cased pair of Walter Adams percussion dueling pistols. He completed his term as Vice-President but his political career was effectively over. Perhaps the most bizarre duel in which Wogdon pistols were used took place on 13 January 1777 between the Reverend Henry Bate and Andrew Robinson Stoney. Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item, Title: If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. Finally, a published letter made reference to a particularly despicable opinion Hamilton had expressed about Burr. Although best suited for military use, they were often owned by civilians. 283, sold to MMA). WOGDON & BARTON. [6], Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Where neither principal owned a pistol, then a pair might be produced to be shared.
