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. 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. 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! 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"". The usual duelling distance of 12 paces was measured out and it was agreed that both parties would fire at the given signal. Whether Lennox had used his Wogdons in his duel with Swift is not known. Lock plates engraved Wogdon & Barton, having push-on half-cock safeties, semi-rain proof pans, and roller frizzen springs (one spring repaired). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. His total production of duelling pistols over the 39 years that he was a gunmaker is unknown. Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. 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. The actions on both pistols function correctly. 15". 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. He carried on his business in Haymarket from 1774 until his retirement in 1802. Eacker had called the two young men damned rascals.. He died on September 14, 1836, a poor and broken man, on the same day that the divorce was finalized. 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. Purpose-built duelling pistols have various improvements to make them more reliable and accurate. Both pistols have their original iron-tipped ramrods with an attached worm at the end. 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. (1726.5 g). .38 in. This is famously represented in the book and film The Last Duel. 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. Generally, if both duelists fired without effect, the challenger could declare himself satisfied or demand another exchange. More Info. If Hamilton were to admit to Burrs charge, which was substantially true, he would lose his honour. They, and the cocks, have raised decorative edges. 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. Both sets of pistols have single set triggers. It has an inoperative hammer safety. SUBSCRIBE today for our lowest ever deal, SIX ISSUES for JUST 6 by clicking on THIS link. Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item, Title:
Philip was mortally wounded, and died in agony the following day. (14.2 g); case (g): H. 2 5/8 in. [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. This is a very nice pair of dueling pistols by a well-known maker of quality flintlock pistols. 14.75"". Although sometimes the duellists would use their own pistols so the weapons would be different. A pair of duels in the early 19th century in America have done much to fix Wogdons name in American memory. A duelling pistol is a type of pistol that was manufactured in matching pairs to be used in a duel, when duels were customary. 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. 0.00. 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. Free ground shipping on all US Online Orders over $100! The next day it was Hamiltons turn to face Eacker at ten paces. Geoff Walker trading as The Flintlock Collection - All Rights Reserved Like most of the earlier English dueling pistols, this pair has a lighter build. (9.6 mm); Wt. 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. The Field is the oldest and ultimate sporting journal, covering everything rural types care about since 1853. All the metal has a smooth gray-brown patina. Graceful yet practical and perfectly balanced in the hand, they privilege overall formal quality and flawless mechanical work over applied adornments. Gunsmith Robert Wogdon British
The Burr and Hamilton Duel at Weehawken, New Jersey, July 11, 1804 In the late 18th century and early 19th century in Europe as well as America, if a gentleman, or in rare cases a lady, or someone close to them faced an insult, they were expected to demand a proper apology or satisfaction., To refuse or decline a challenge risked their reputation and being posted as a poltroon (an utter coward). When General Hamilton arrived, the seconds measured out the distance, 10 full paces, and cast lots for the choice of position. In some situations, the duelist who had already fired was also supposed to keep advancing until the opponent had fired. 0.5 oz. The butt cap and trigger guard are polished bright. 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. (6.7 cm); W. 17 1/2 in. The breech plug tangs, butt caps, and trigger guards have decorative engraving. Hamilton languished until 2 p.m. on July 12, 1804. The barrels are marked Wogdon & Barton London in script on the top flat. Wogdon & Barton (founded by Robert Wogdon) was an 18th-century firm of gunsmiths based in London, England. 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. 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. 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.. Gunmakers to Bow St. Police, 1801-3. Robert Wogdon produced flintlock firearms from the 1760s, and was particularly well known for his high quality duelling pistols. Lot 3247: A very desirable cased pair of Wogdon & Barton flintlock dueling pistols from circa 1795-1803. Please use the print button in the share bar at the top of the page. Colonel Lennox and the Duke, accompanied by their seconds, met on Wimbledon Common on the morning of 26 May. In 1797, Alexander Hamilton's brother-in-law, John Baker Church, had obtained an exquisite pair of custom-made dueling pistols made by Wogdon. (1219 g); powder flask (b): H. 4 1/8 in. But you had never gained so great a name, In England had your pistols killed as few." 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.. More has been written about this duel than any other in American history. Burr was unharmed but stood in shock before being rushed away from the scene as was customary. Wood for Gunsmithing and restoration. Famous for duelling pistols. He is recorded as 'Gunmaker, at Mr. Maw's Haberdasher, Cockspur St., Charing Cross' in 1764. Browse SCHEELS selection of handguns and pistols featuring top brands like Glock, SIG, Smith & Wesson, & more. (39.4 cm); Wt. Patron of that Leaden death!" The locks are signed "Wogdon/&/Barton" and have frizzen rollers, sliding half-cock safeties, and stepped tails. (17.1 cm); Wt. [21], Pairs of duelling pistols were often supplied in compartmentalised wooden cases along with a powder flask, rods for cleaning and loading, spare flints, spanners and other tools, and a bullet mould. He formally called upon the Duke either to give up the name of his false informant or afford him satisfaction. [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. It is also only the second pair of Wogdons known with 16-sided barrels. To refuse to take part in the duel would have had the same result. As the challenged party, Hamilton selected Churchs pistols as the weapons. But you had never gained so great a name, In England had your pistols killed as few." 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. Robert Wogdon (1734-1813) is arguably the best known and most respected maker of flintlock dueling pistols. (39.4 cm); Wt. More Info. London proof marks and RW barrel makers mark. Pair of Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Dueling Pistols (AH6322) Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: AH6322 Add to Cart Add to wishlist Robert Wogdon and John Barton operated at 14 Haymarket, London, from 1795 to 1803. 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. 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. [1] The name Wogdon became synonymous with dueling, to the extent that duels in England were sometimes referred to as "a Wogdon affair". He then fled to Europe where he continued to conspire to steal land in the West. 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. WOGDON & BARTON. Description The barrels are 10 octagonal, sighted, browned twist with bore size of .476 and scratch rifled. Colonel Lennox would have faced a real dilemma over this incident. Instead of firing into the sky or the ground, aiming for a near miss would show seriousness and would appear to any witnesses to have been a legitimate attempt but avoid taking a life. The pistols used in this duel are believed to have been the Wogdon & Barton pistols owned by John Barker Church, Alexander Hamiltons brother-in-law. 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. [6], Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. The overall length of this pair of flintlock dueling pistols is approx. 12.9 oz. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. Had Lennox refused to challenge the Duke, his reputation as an officer and a gentleman would have been irrevocably compromised. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. 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. [3], Duelling pistols had long barrels - typically around 10in (250mm) and fired large, heavy bullets. The guns had several special features, including heavy brass forends for steadier aim and both front and rear sights for a more accurate shot. 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. Starting in 1795 to 1803, he operated with a partner, John Barton, as Wogdon & Barton so this pistol is 1795 or earlier. Original Tools. Hamilton, Burr, their seconds, and a doctor met at Heights of Weehawken in New Jersey, a popular but secluded dueling ground, on that fateful July morning. 7 oz. The various component parts of these firearms were individually produced under the direction of a master gunmaker by highly specialized craftsmen, including a lock smith, barrel forger, stocker, and engraver. Though disputed, this duel most likely took place on 26 May 1789. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. While the design looks a bit odd, the author has found most sawhandle pistols point very naturally. 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. On 13 January 1777 at the Adelphi Tavern and Coffeehouse, Bate was accosted by Stoney and the duel proceeded without any witnesses. Burr was charged with murder but the case never reached trial. SCHEELS A serious pistol shot would practise with his own pair and would be reluctant to provide one of his pistols to his adversary. 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 . [3], In continental Europe, the use of smooth-bored pistols was considered cowardly, and rifled pistols were the norm. Hamilton had opposed Burrs political campaigns since the 1790s, and letters were published indicating Hamilton at a dinner expressed his opposition to Burr politically, called him a dangerous man, and held a still more despicable opinion of Burr. Committed to designing and building . 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 stock on gun 2 is fine with no cracks or chips and the dents and dings expected of light to moderate use. (41 cm); L. of barrel 11 15/16 in. 15". 0.00. 19th September 2018. 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.