wogdon and barton dueling pistols
The top center of the oval has what appears to be some kind of bird figure and a sword. Cased Pair of John Blissett & Son Percussion Dueling Pistols: Lot 332 Four British Prime Ministers have engaged in duels throughout history. (41 cm); L. of barrel 11 15/16 in. (9.6 mm); Wt. By the time duelling with pistols had superseded duelling with swords in the early 1770s, the purpose had shifted from wounding or killing your opponent to demonstrating that, as a man of honour, you were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. [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. [2] (9.6 mm); Wt. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. 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. Patron of that Leaden death. 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. 0.00. Two pairs of pistols allowed for a second exchange of shots if both missed and the challenger of the duel was intent on continuing. 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 . [7] For some in the eighteenth century, duelling with less-accurate, smooth-bore weapons was preferred as they viewed it as allowing the judgement of God to take a role in deciding the outcome of the encounter. When Charles Lee and John Laurens dueled during the American Revolution, they each brought a pair. [6], Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. That may have been one option, but it doesnt appear to have been common. "Loan Exhibition of European Arms and Armor," August 3September 27, 1931, no. 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. 14.75". Tools and Accesories. [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. 14.75"". Thereafter they quickly took over and after 1785 it was rare for a sword duel to be fought in London. Patron of that Leaden death!" Two shots are believed to have rung out almost simultaneously. Special care was taken when moulding the lead bullets to ensure that there were no voids which would affect accuracy. [19] Participants wore heavy, protective clothing and a metal helmet, similar to a fencing mask but with an eye-screen of thick glass. A North African Flintlock Pistol . 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. This supremely elegant target pistol is among their most accomplished work. The victor is presumed to be the just party in the case because the divine would have chosen the winner. (1219 g); powder flask (b): H. 4 1/8 in. Two loud bangs followed by the unmistakable sound of clashing swords were heard and, with the help of waiters, the door was forced open. Read British gunmakers of the 21st century for more about the companies continuing a long tradition. Price and Eacker exchanged shots multiple times the following day without injury and considered their affair settled. Hamilton received a .54-caliber wound to the abdomen from an English-made Wogdon & Barton flintlock smoothbore dueling pistol. 7 oz. 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. Burr was unharmed but stood in shock before being rushed away from the scene as was customary. No details as to the pistol used by the Duke of York have so far been found. One of a pair of silver-mounted duelling pistols, hallmarked 1776, with the first recorded use of the helmet and falchion side-plate. 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. This could certainly be a risky proposition if you didnt get to shoot first. 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. [3] Other features were saw handles, platinum-lined touch-holes and hair triggers. Exactly what happened next has been debated and veiled in mystery ever since. This was a legal proceeding in which a persons guilt or innocence was determined by the outcome of a fight. Stoneys dying wish was that Mary would marry him. 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. Forging damascus steel barrels the rarest of skills, The Fields bucket list for a sporting year, Seasons greetings a love letter to postage stamps. On 13 January 1777 at the Adelphi Tavern and Coffeehouse, Bate was accosted by Stoney and the duel proceeded without any witnesses. Dueling pistol makers continued to innovate through the end of the flintlock era and into the percussion era. But if the first to fire missed, he was required to stand still and wait for his opponent's shot. Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. 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. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. One of the most common varieties was having a set number of paces walked off and the positions marked in advance. The breech plug tangs, butt caps, and trigger guards have decorative engraving. 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. He returned shortly before the War of 1812. Flintlock Target Pistol of Prince William Frederick, Second Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (17761834), with Case and Accessories, Gunsmith: Although sometimes the duellists would use their own pistols so the weapons would be different. There's a lot going on in this escutcheon! Certainly during his working life he was referred to as the celebrated Wogdon and also, he [Wogdon] is a famous man for making pistols. 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. 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. The crest and monogram strongly suggest they may have belonged to Wogdons son-in-law, William Butt Jnr. From about 1770 onwards, gunsmiths were producing pistols expressly made for duelling.[2]. 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. Other Materials. Collecting, preserving, researching, publishing, and exhibiting distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. 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 . SOLD. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. 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. Some say Hamilton threw away his shot on purpose as he had declared he intended to do privately and then Burr fired, while others suggest Hamilton fired reflexively after being shot. [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 completed his term as Vice-President but his political career was effectively over. Colonel Burr arrived first. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pair of Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols (AH6322), 7626 Westheimer @ Voss, Houston, Texas 77063. 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. (10 cm); Wt. If either party was injured at all, the seconds were generally expected to work to declare the duel was over. 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. 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 stock on gun 2 is fine with no cracks or chips and the dents and dings expected of light to moderate use. For this reason, very few duels can now be confidently identified as those in which Wogdon pistols were used. The plot was foiled, but he was acquitted. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. Again, the affair began with politics. Hamilton languished until 2 p.m. on July 12, 1804. Committed to designing and building . 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 . He died in 1813, and by that time hundreds of men are believed to have been injured or killed by his pistols in duels. Duelling pistols are often single-shot flintlock or percussion black-powder pistols which fire a lead ball. Original Tools. (17.1 cm); Wt. [15], A further type of duel, known as a barrier duel or a duel volont (at pleasure) had the duellists walk towards each other. The engraving on the escutcheon merits further research. 4.8 oz. The overall length is approx. A cased pair of half-stocked duelling pistols dated 1793. Wogdon & Barton (British, London 17951803), Gunsmith: [18] For an eye-witness account of such a duel, see Reynolds (1839).[14]. His father told him to fire to miss, known as deloping, rather than take a mans life. 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. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. There are currently no customer product questions on this lot. 0.8 oz. Wood for Gunsmithing and restoration. 344. Mary Eleanor Bowes was the richest heiress in England at that time. Wogdon was partnered with John Barton at 14 Haymarket Street in London in 1795-1803. The 9 5/8" octagon 64 caliber swamped smooth bore barrel has a fair bore . Flints. Instead, the duelists should fire quickly. Finally, a published letter made reference to a particularly despicable opinion Hamilton had expressed about Burr. [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 wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver, and the latter have a monogram that appears to be the initials "LD." They go back centuries to trial by combat, also known as the judicial duel. SOLD. With swamped octagonal sighted barrels each signed in script along the top flat and engraved with a band of beadwork at the breech, silver fore-sights, tangs each incorporating the back-sight and finely engraved with foliage, signed flat . Estimated at $7,500-$12,000, these dueling pistols are beautiful, rare, and historically significant. (10.5 cm); Wt. Graceful, understated, and built with fine attention to detail, it belonged to a cousin of George IV, Prince William Frederick, second Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, whose arms are engraved on the grips gold escutcheon. Threading and drilling tooling. The doctors concluded that Stoneys injuries might well prove fatal. He was dead within thirty-six hours. [12], It is often stated that duelling pistols came in identical pairs to put each duellist on an equal footing. 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. The plain stepped locks are simply engraved Wogdon, with a plain narrow safety catch. SOLD. An Irish duelling pistol, dated 1774, a collectors term for a gun where the barrel is longer than 10in, with a short, straight butt. Many later pistols have heavier barrels and half-stocks while the early pistols are lighter and full-stocked. Wogdon & Barton (founded by Robert Wogdon) was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. More Info. 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. 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. [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. [2] The name Wogdon became synonymous with dueling, to the extent that duels in England were sometimes referred to as "a Wogdon affair". 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. After one man had fired, the other could fire within the remaining allotted time. The barrels have a decorative band around the breech end. (3.8 cm); Wt. Church himself had fought a bloodless duel with Burr a few years earlier. This time by his father and Vice President Aaron Burr. Philip was mortally wounded, and died in agony the following day. The sliding-safety locks are marked in script ""Wogdon"" over ""&"" over ""Barton"". A Continental Pin Fire Revolver. 1 lb. The 10" swamped at the muzzle octagon 67 caliber smooth bore barrels have good bores with light roughness. 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 10"" swamped at the muzzle octagon 67 caliber smooth bore barrels have good bores with light roughness. An eagle is engraved on the headband. 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. The Duke had earlier indicated to Colonel Lennox that he wished to desire no protection from his rank. 37.154.3ag. 3 lb. Poem, Stanzas on Duelling, by an Irish Volunteer, 1783, began Hail Wogden! 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 . Whether Lennox had used his Wogdons in his duel with Swift is not known. Rogers Fund, 1937, Accession Number: Hosted and Maintained by TwoPointZero IT. A duelling pistol is a type of pistol that was manufactured in matching pairs to be used in a duel, when duels were customary. [12], Pairs of duelling pistols can be easily confused with holster pistols and travelling pistols. The brown damascus style finish is . Guns International #: 102053710 Seller's Inventory #: AH6322. Patron of that Leaden death!" 0.00. As the smoke cleared, Alexander Hamilton lay mortally wounded. 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. They, and the cocks, have raised decorative edges. In some instances multiple rounds were fired without injury.
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