Died aged 79. Stoney Bowes, not one to give up easily, appealed against Marys divorce suit but Mary eventually gained her freedom. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Such alterations would have taken place at some time after it left Wogdons shop. Lot 81: This historic pair of silver mounted H.W. Wogdon made the pistols used in the infamous BurrHamilton duel, which were later claimed to have concealed "hair triggers" (also known as set triggers). Its long barrel, measuring nearly twelve inches in length, indicates its intended use for targets. The Mantons, Griffin & Tow, H.W. 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. [12], It is often stated that duelling pistols came in identical pairs to put each duellist on an equal footing. 1 lb. 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. 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 barrels were given a blued or browned finish to reduce glare. The barrels on earlier guns were cylindrical, while later ones tended to be octagonal. Pistol Kits; Chemicals and Compounds. Two pairs of pistols allowed for a second exchange of shots if both missed and the challenger of the duel was intent on continuing. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. This nice single dueling flintlock pistol by a very well known maker is ready for your English flintlock pistol collection. 15". [18] For an eye-witness account of such a duel, see Reynolds (1839).[14]. From about 1770 onwards, gunsmiths were producing pistols expressly made for duelling.[2]. (10 cm); Wt. If Hamilton were to admit to Burrs charge, which was substantially true, he would lose his honour. With John Barton traded as Wogdon & Barton, from 1795, succeeded by Barton, 1803. Since the 1800s, explorers and dangerous game hunters navigating the African bush have trusted their lives to the double rifle. Gunmakers to Bow St. Police, 1801-3. We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. Two loud bangs followed by the unmistakable sound of clashing swords were heard and, with the help of waiters, the door was forced open. 19th September 2018. The whereabouts of the second Wogdon pistol are unknown. A serious pistol shot would practise with his own pair and would be reluctant to provide one of his pistols to his adversary. Duelling pistols have long and heavy barrels - the added weight helped steady aim and reduce recoil. The butt cap and trigger guard are polished bright. 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. [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 Most Famous Set of Dueling Pistols - Wogdon & Barton Until the building's demolition in 2019, you could view the most famous set of dueling pistols in history on display at the former JPMorgan Chase Tower, at 270 Park Avenue, NY, New York. 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. (1726.5 g). Famous for duelling pistols. A Rare Pair Of 40-Bore Flintlock Overcoat Or Travelling PistolsBy Wogdon & Barton Of London, Circa 1800. This emphasis on the purity of form references the Neoclassical style then in vogue. Very good with more than half of the period refurbished brown, distinct Damascus patterns, and bright gold vent on the barrel; mix of brown and mottled silver-gray patina on the lock, gray and brown patina on the iron furniture, dark aged patina on the silver, mild oxidation/pitting, and generally mild wear overall. Burr, with his political prospects already fading, demanded an explanation of what Hamilton had said about him, and a series of notes were exchanged. Its long barrel, measuring nearly twelve inches in length, indicates its intended use for targets. Tools and Accesories. 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 . Wogdon made the pistols used in the infamous BurrHamilton duel, which were later claimed to have concealed "hair triggers" (also known as set triggers). 14.75". More Info. As the challenged party, Hamilton selected Churchs pistols as the weapons. In London, the first recorded pistol duel was in 1711[Note 1] but the use of pistols was unusual until the 1760s. Click here for more information. All rights reserved. Mechanically fine. Robert Wogdon manufactured the pistols used in the Hamilton-Burr duel, the most famous duel in American history. The usual duelling distance of 12 paces was measured out and it was agreed that both parties would fire at the given signal. Dueling pistol makers continued to innovate through the end of the flintlock era and into the percussion era. 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. Colonel Burrs shot struck home and General Hamilton fell almost instantly. 4.8 oz. The crest and monogram strongly suggest they may have belonged to Wogdons son-in-law, William Butt Jnr. Although their purpose was combat or self-defense, holster pistols were used on occasion to fight duels. .36 in (9.3 mm); Wt. 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. Lot 231: Cased pair of H. Bales flintlock dueling pistols. [12], Pairs of duelling pistols can be easily confused with holster pistols and travelling pistols. This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Certainly during his working life he was referred to as the celebrated Wogdon and also, he [Wogdon] is a famous man for making pistols. 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. [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. 0.00. Wogdon & Barton (founded by Robert Wogdon) was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. The seconds turned their backs, so they could deny being credible witnesses to what transpired should they be drawn into court. 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. 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. The sliding-safety locks are marked in script "Wogdon" over "&" over "Barton". 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. More Info. British, London, Medium:
Although best suited for military use, they were often owned by civilians. He died in 1813, and by that time hundreds of men are believed to have been injured or killed by his pistols in duels. [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.
Famous for duelling pistols. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. 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]. His total production of duelling pistols over the 39 years that he was a gunmaker is unknown. Materials. This is a very nice pair of dueling pistols by a well-known maker of quality flintlock pistols. Pistols with rifled barrels spin-stabilize the shot when it is fired, resulting in much improved accuracy. 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. No details as to the pistol used by the Duke of York have so far been found. 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. As the distance closed they could fire at will. Hamilton received a .54-caliber wound to the abdomen from an English-made Wogdon & Barton flintlock smoothbore dueling pistol. At the time, the Duke of York, second son of the reigning King George III, was Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, and one Charles Lennox, nephew and heir to the Duke of Richmond, was Lieutenant-Colonel of the same regiment. The overall length is approx. Mechanically fine. Poem, Stanzas on Duelling, by an Irish Volunteer, 1783, began Hail Wogden, Patron of that Leaden death. Great Britain and Ireland, 1600-1800 A.D. They, and the cocks, have raised decorative edges. (36.9 g); bullet mould (d): L. 4 13/16 (12.2 cm); Cal. A Scarce Double Barrel Pocket Pistol . The finest London firearms made in the classic British style of the early nineteenth century rank among the most stately and innovative in the history of gunmaking. Robert Wogdon (British, 17341813), Gunsmith:
Chase Manhattan Bank acquired the pistols in 1930, and they now reside at the National Postal Museum. This article about a company of the UK is a stub. His father told him to fire to miss, known as deloping, rather than take a mans life. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Spring Steel. (3.8 cm); Wt. 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. The engraving on the escutcheon merits further research. [13][Note 4], There were various forms of pistol duel. [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. Initially, both men refused to fire. This rare public showing marked the first time these pistols have been displayed in Washington, D.C. 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. Patron of that Leaden death. More Info. 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. (1726.5 g), Classification:
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. The doctors concluded that Stoneys injuries might well prove fatal. Cobra Firearms is a firearm and accessory manufacturer located in Salt Lake City, UT specializing in American made derringers and handguns that are unique. This was a legal proceeding in which a persons guilt or innocence was determined by the outcome of a fight. 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 only recorded Wogdon pistol with a brass barrel, hallmarked 1791. 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. Lot 3247: A very desirable cased pair of Wogdon & Barton flintlock dueling pistols from circa 1795-1803. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. 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. The 10" swamped at the muzzle octagon 67 caliber smooth bore barrels have good bores with light roughness. [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. A fine duelling pistol by one of the best makers, in good condition, Robert Wogdon was apprenticed to Edward Newton of Grantham, Lincolnshire in 1748. Special care was taken when moulding the lead bullets to ensure that there were no voids which would affect accuracy. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. (136.1 g); cleaning rod (c): L. 15 1/2 in. 7 oz. The actions on both pistols function correctly. To refuse to take part in the duel would have had the same result. [20], The use of pistols in duels became popular in the United Kingdom, France, and colonial America during the mid-eighteenth century. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. Given the large number of cased pairs of his duelling pistols that have survived to this day, his production was significant. 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. Both parties presented and fired in succession. But you had never gained so great a name, In England had your pistols killed as few." He is recorded as 'Gunmaker, at Mr. Maw's Haberdasher, Cockspur St., Charing Cross' in 1764. The victor is presumed to be the just party in the case because the divine would have chosen the winner. Both pistols have their original iron-tipped ramrods with an attached worm at the end. SUBSCRIBE today for our lowest ever deal, SIX ISSUES for JUST 6 by clicking on THIS link. 283, sold to MMA). Compounds and Solutions for Metals. Hamilton did not elaborate but indicated his remarks were political, not personal, which would imply that Burrs honor had not been drawn into question. Pistol dueling was an associate (non-medal) event at the 1906 and 1908 Olympic games (see Olympic dueling). The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. Firearms-Pistols-Flintlock, Credit Line:
The overall length of the pistols is 16in and the smooth-bore octagonal barrels are 29-bore. The plain stepped locks are simply engraved Wogdon, with a plain narrow safety catch. The surviving Lennox pistol used in a duel with the Duke of York. Colonel Burr arrived first. The overall length is approx. 0.00. E ach 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 Finally, a published letter made reference to a particularly despicable opinion Hamilton had expressed about Burr. SOLD. Robert Wogdon, a gunmaker most famous for his dueling pistols, partnered with John Barton late in his career. More Info. The pistols used in the Hamilton=Burr duel, which belonged to Hamiltons brother-in-law. 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. (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. He formally called upon the Duke either to give up the name of his false informant or afford him satisfaction. 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. Like most of the earlier English dueling pistols, this pair has a lighter build. Their "saw handle" stocks are one of just many designs English gunmakers experimented with in their efforts to create deadly accurate dueling pistols. In 1797, Alexander Hamilton's brother-in-law, John Baker Church, had obtained an exquisite pair of custom-made dueling pistols made by Wogdon.
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