3 lb. 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. Purpose-built duelling pistols have various improvements to make them more reliable and accurate. Pistols with rifled barrels spin-stabilize the shot when it is fired, resulting in much improved accuracy. If either party was injured at all, the seconds were generally expected to work to declare the duel was over. 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 . New York. Tools for metal. .38 in. 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. Impact Guns is the gun shop for all your shooting needs. Upon the signal, they could advance towards one another and choose when to fire. The lock, which is bright along with the cock, is marked in script ""Wogdon"". 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. Died aged 79. 15". 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. Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. The only recorded Wogdon pistol with a brass barrel, hallmarked 1791. "The Best Damn Gunshop in the World" No details as to the pistol used by the Duke of York have so far been found. Gunsmith Robert Wogdon British His pistols had now reached a level of perfect proportions and balance, and had a simple elegance that could hardly be improved. They are immediately recognizable by their elegant proportions, restrained ornament, and technical refinement. (30.3 cm); Cal. Given the large number of cased pairs of his duelling pistols that have survived to this day, his production was significant. Steel and Brass Section, Rod and Sheet. More Info. Until the mid-18th century, duels were typically fought with swords. This resulted in a further duel between Colonel Lennox and Swift, which resulted in the unfortunate Swift being shot in the abdomen. [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". By 1780, Wogdon had settled on the final form for his duelling pistols and saw no reason for any . Carried to his Manhattan home, Hamilton lingered in agony, the pistol ball lodged next to his spine. This supremely elegant target pistol is among their most accomplished work. 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. There are currently no customer product questions on this lot. (3.8 cm); Wt. Lock plates engraved Wogdon & Barton, having push-on half-cock safeties, semi-rain proof pans, and roller frizzen springs (one spring repaired). 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. 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. Not all fine, antique pairs of pistols are duelling pistols, though they may be called so. Initially, both men refused to fire. 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. (22.7 g); glass bottle (f): H. 1 1/2 in. 1 lb. Lot 81: This historic pair of silver mounted H.W. Firearms-Pistols-Flintlock, Credit Line: The trigger guard finial is an engraved acorn. They loaded the pistols and the parties took their stations. 15"". 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. From 9mm to 45 ACP, find the best pistol for you. A Rifled Pocket Pistol by Smith. (22.7 g); glass bottle (f): H. 1 1/2 in. The 10" swamped at the muzzle octagon 67 caliber smooth bore barrels have good bores with light roughness. The crest and monogram strongly suggest they may have belonged to Wogdons son-in-law, William Butt Jnr. 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. Price: 28,500 Maker: Robert Wogdon Date: circa 1780 Each Pistol with 10 inch browned swamped octagonal barrel signed along the top flat, engraved with a transverse band of beadwork at the rear of the breech and with silver fore sight, case-hardened foliate engraved tang decorated with a band of beadwork in front of the rear sight . 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. It has an inoperative hammer safety. Thus, firing too early might make you more likely to miss and have to risk being shot at from a shorter range. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. Wogdon & Barton was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. 14.75"". 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. 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. There was not just a single form for a proper duel. Free ground shipping on all US Online Orders over $100! 37.154.3ag. (6.7 cm); W. 17 1/2 in. Stoney Bowes, not one to give up easily, appealed against Marys divorce suit but Mary eventually gained her freedom. 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 actions on both pistols function correctly. They go back centuries to trial by combat, also known as the judicial duel. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. He was dead within thirty-six hours. Research suggests the attribution is spurious, though the quality is superb. The overall length is approx. 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. 0.00. From about 1770 onwards, gunsmiths were producing pistols expressly made for duelling.[2]. 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. Although sometimes the duellists would use their own pistols so the weapons would be different. There were also varieties of barrier duels in which the duelist started a set number of paces apart with a barrier in the center. Remarkable design and engineering continues to mark out the British gun trade. 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. Duelling pistols have long and heavy barrels - the added weight helped steady aim and reduce recoil. Lot 1278: Cased pair of Walter Adams percussion dueling pistols. Poem, Stanzas on Duelling, by an Irish Volunteer, 1783, began Hail Wogden, Patron of that Leaden death. Lot 3248 in the upcoming August 26-28 Premier Auction: A classic pair of Wogdon dueling pistols from circa 1780. The overall length is approx. Standard flintlock pistols can have a noticeable delay between pulling the trigger and actually firing the bullet unless precisely tuned. 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 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. SOLD. Forging damascus steel barrels the rarest of skills, The Fields bucket list for a sporting year, Seasons greetings a love letter to postage stamps. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. Fate or divine intervention was a key aspect of the origins of dueling. Pistol dueling was an associate (non-medal) event at the 1906 and 1908 Olympic games (see Olympic dueling). He is recorded as 'Gunmaker, at Mr. Maw's Haberdasher, Cockspur St., Charing Cross' in 1764. Many of Wogdons pistols have bent barrels. Read British gunmakers of the 21st century for more about the companies continuing a long tradition. An eagle is engraved on the headband. Estimated at $7,500-$12,000, these dueling pistols are beautiful, rare, and historically significant. Wood for Gunsmithing and restoration. The whereabouts of the second Wogdon pistol are unknown. Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. When his second wife divorced him in 1834, Alexander Hamilton Jr. served as her lawyer. [2] The name Wogdon became synonymous with dueling, to the extent that duels in England were sometimes referred to as "a Wogdon affair". He died in 1813, and by that time hundreds of men are believed to have been injured or killed by his pistols in duels. The remaining furniture is iron and includes classic English engraving, including fine pineapple finials on the trigger guards. 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. (9.6 mm); Wt. 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. Ref: 582. Churchs dueling pistols were originally similar to the Wogdon & Barton pair in our next auction but at some point had brass forends fitted to them. A Very Fine Cased Pair of 28-Bore Duelling Pistols. 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). This is a very nice pair of dueling pistols by a well-known maker of quality flintlock pistols. ANTIQUE Engraved WOGDON FLINTLOCK Dueling Pistol Pistol Maker of the Pistols Used in the BURR-HAMILTON Duel! Gunmakers to Bow St. Police, 1801-3. Burrs intention seems quite clear. 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. As the challenged party, Hamilton selected Churchs pistols as the weapons. The 9 5/8"" octagon 64 caliber swamped smooth bore barrel has a fair bore with pitting. "Loan Exhibition of European Arms and Armor," August 3September 27, 1931, no. 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. (1726.5 g). Dueling pistol makers continued to innovate through the end of the flintlock era and into the percussion era. 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 . 0.00. .36 in (9.3 mm); Wt. Whether it was in this form when used by Colonel Lennox in the 1789 duel, or still in its original full stocked form, is unknown. On 13 January 1777 at the Adelphi Tavern and Coffeehouse, Bate was accosted by Stoney and the duel proceeded without any witnesses. A serious pistol shot would practise with his own pair and would be reluctant to provide one of his pistols to his adversary. They, and the cocks, have raised decorative edges. Philip was mortally wounded, and died in agony the following day. Hamilton languished until 2 p.m. on July 12, 1804. (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. 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. A fine pair of flintlock duelling pistols by the master makers Wogdon and Barton of London, are coming up for auction in the Militaria & Ethnographica Sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 5 th October with an estimate of 14,000 - 18,000 plus buyer's premium. This is a very nice pair of dueling pistols by a well-known maker of quality flintlock pistols. (39.4 cm); Wt. Robert Wogdon (British, 17341813), Gunsmith: Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API. The barrels were given a blued or browned finish to reduce glare. 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. At first glance, the surviving pistol is not immediately recognisable as the work of Robert Wogdon. 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. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. WOGDON & BARTON. In Britain, the favoured type was for the duellists to stand still at an agreed distance and shoot when given the signal. Stoney demanded Bate reveal the author of these articles; Bate refused and Stoney challenged him to a duel as the Countess of Strathmores champion. [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. 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. One particularly deadly option for a serious dispute was to have both men stand a set number of paces apart, cock and raise their pistols upon command, take aim at another command, and then fire simultaneously upon the final command. Both parties presented and fired in succession. Colonel Lennox and the Duke, accompanied by their seconds, met on Wimbledon Common on the morning of 26 May. Tools and Accesories. [19] Participants wore heavy, protective clothing and a metal helmet, similar to a fencing mask but with an eye-screen of thick glass. More Info. The Colt Single Action Army revolver and the Winchester Model. (1219 g); powder flask (b): H. 4 1/8 in. 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. Geoff Walker trading as The Flintlock Collection - All Rights Reserved 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. Collecting, preserving, researching, publishing, and exhibiting distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. 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. Churchs Wogdon & Barton pistols were used on July 11, 1804, close to where the young Hamilton had been mortally wounded. It is now half-stocked with a silver fore-end and a rounded, chequered butt with spurred trigger-guard. A North African Flintlock Pistol . Robert Wogdon & John Barton Gunmakers, 14 Haymarket, 1795-1803. Design [ edit] 14.75"". (3.8 cm); Wt. Wogdon & Barton (British, London 17951803), Gunsmith: Robert Wogdon, a gunmaker most famous for his dueling pistols, partnered with John Barton late in his career. [3], Duelling pistols had long barrels - typically around 10in (250mm) and fired large, heavy bullets. During the late 19th and the early 20th centuries, duelling became a sport in which shooters fired at each other using non-lethal rounds. Burr was unharmed but stood in shock before being rushed away from the scene as was customary. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. Mary Eleanor Bowes was the richest heiress in England at that time. 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. Cased Pair of John Blissett & Son Percussion Dueling Pistols: Lot 332 Four British Prime Ministers have engaged in duels throughout history. 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. Since the 1800s, explorers and dangerous game hunters navigating the African bush have trusted their lives to the double rifle. Famous for duelling pistols. Collectors Firearms, LLC. Chase Manhattan Bank acquired the pistols in 1930, and they now reside at the National Postal Museum. Impact also services the needs of law enforcement and military with our wide variety of tactical weapons and . There's a lot going on in this escutcheon! [3], In continental Europe, the use of smooth-bored pistols was considered cowardly, and rifled pistols were the norm. 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. Finally, a published letter made reference to a particularly despicable opinion Hamilton had expressed about Burr. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. Whether Lennox had used his Wogdons in his duel with Swift is not known. Gunsmith John Barton British. When Charles Lee and John Laurens dueled during the American Revolution, they each brought a pair. The guns had several special features, including heavy brass forends for steadier aim and both front and rear sights for a more accurate shot. It was requested that the Duke say he considered Colonel Lennox a man of honour and courage. 1.5 oz. Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item, Title: (44.5 cm); D. 6 3/4 in. This rare public showing marked the first time these pistols have been displayed in Washington, D.C. 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. (36.9 g); bullet mould (d): L. 4 13/16 (12.2 cm); Cal. 1.3 oz. Wogdon had apprenticed to the Irish gunmaker Edward Norton in Lincolnshire. 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. It is also only the second pair of Wogdons known with 16-sided barrels. This nice single dueling flintlock pistol by a very well known maker is ready for your English flintlock pistol collection. 3 lb. Materials. The usual duelling distance of 12 paces was measured out and it was agreed that both parties would fire at the given signal. He left no records and never used serial numbers on his guns. 0.00. Its the story of a, In 1873, two of America's greatest gunmakers would unveil the defining arms of the era. .36 in (9.3 mm); Wt. 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. A Scarce Double Barrel Pocket Pistol . 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. [2] The name Wogdon became synonymous with dueling, to the extent that duels in England were sometimes referred to as "a Wogdon affair". More Info. 14.75"". (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. Many later pistols have heavier barrels and half-stocks while the early pistols are lighter and full-stocked. 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. 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 engraving on the escutcheon merits further research. 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. Not all fine, antique pairs of pistols are duelling pistols, though they may be called so. Wogdon retired in 1803 and died in 1813. 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 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.. This emphasis on the purity of form references the Neoclassical style then in vogue. Click here for more information. 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. The overall length of the pistols is 16in and the smooth-bore octagonal barrels are 29-bore. [3] Other features were saw handles, platinum-lined touch-holes and hair triggers. Its long barrel, measuring nearly twelve inches in length, indicates its intended use for targets. The stock on gun 2 is fine with no cracks or chips and the dents and dings expected of light to moderate use. 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. [12], Pairs of duelling pistols can be easily confused with holster pistols and travelling pistols. Had Lennox refused to challenge the Duke, his reputation as an officer and a gentleman would have been irrevocably compromised. 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. Surprisingly, Lee was only lightly wounded and the affair ultimately ended without another exchange, in part due to Alexander Hamiltons role as Laurenss second. The custom fitted case has a later three-compartment powder flasks, balls, and an original section from the ramrod of gun "A." [1] The name Wogdon became synonymous with dueling, to the extent that duels in England were sometimes referred to as "a Wogdon affair". Exactly what happened next has been debated and veiled in mystery ever since. The best hunting horse. 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. 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. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. The Field is the oldest and ultimate sporting journal, covering everything rural types care about since 1853. 15"". He formally called upon the Duke either to give up the name of his false informant or afford him satisfaction. [13][Note 4], There were various forms of pistol duel. [4], All component parts were manufactured, hand-finished and then adjusted with great care and precision, which made duelling pistols much more costly than standard firearms of the period. Description The barrels are 10 octagonal, sighted, browned twist with bore size of .476 and scratch rifled. 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. This could certainly be a risky proposition if you didnt get to shoot first. 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! A Continental Pin Fire Revolver. After he forcibly abducted Mary to the north of England, a warrant was issued for Stoney Bowes arrest. The Critical Review; or, Annals of Literature, hot air balloons with blunderbusses over Paris, Duke of York was challenged by his nephew Charles Lennox. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. 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. Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols.