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Lot 3259:Cased Pair of Robert Wogdon Flintlock Dueling Pistols

December 11th, 2022|Rock Island, IL

Lot 3259:Cased Pair of Robert Wogdon Flintlock Dueling Pistols

December 11th, 2022|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$6,500 - $9,500

A) Wogdon Dueling Pistol

These pistols were manufactured c. 1780 by famed dueling pistol maker Robert Wogdon (1734-1813), arguably the most renowned of the English dueling pistol makers. A pair of Wogdon & Barton pistols were famously used in the Burr-Hamilton duel. The lightly swamped, octagonal barrels are smoothbore, feature dovetailed silver blade front sights and gold vent liners, and are signed "Wogdon LONDON" on top. The breech ends of the barrels and front of the standing breeches have bands of border engraving. The underside of the barrels have traces of London proofs as well as Wogdon's "RW" maker's mark. The barrels are likely slightly bend downwards as has been shown to be common on Wogdon pistols in an attempt to correct duelists firing over their marks. The standing breeches also incorporate the fixed notch rear sights and floral engraving. The locks are signed "Wogdon" and have sliding half-cock safety latches and stepped, pointed tails. The locks are fired using single set triggers without visible adjustment screws. The furniture is iron and includes classic acorn finials on the trigger guards, caps on the pommels, and floral engraving. The full-length stocks have slab sided wrists. The ramrods have horn tips. The case has a cleaning rod with screw-off jag that reveals a ball puller/worm, a two-compartment flask with red Morocco style leather wrap, a "32" marked ball mold, a screwdriver, and a few lead balls.

ConditionFine. The barrel has an older refinished brown mixed with brown patina, some minor oxidation and pitting, and a bright gold liner. The lock is mostly silver gray patina with some darker areas. The furniture retains 75% of the period refinished blue. The re-oiled stock is very good and has a chip at the tip on the left, a thin crack at the tail of the lock, minor repairs at the trigger guard tang pin, moderate scratches and dings , and attractive figure on the wrist. The trigger and/or sear need some adjustments. The ball mold has a broken hinge. The other accessories and the case are very good with mild age and storage related wear.

Details

ManufacturerWogdon

ModelFlintlock

TypePistol

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge56

Barrel8 1/4 inch octagon

Finishbrown/casehardened/blue

Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL

Catalog page173

B) Wogdon Dueling Pistol

See "A." Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr

ConditionVery good. The barrel displays a blend of an old refinished brown and dark brown patina, some light oxidation and pitting, tool marks on top at the breech, and a bright gold vent liner. The lock and standing breech are mostly a silver-gray patina and have some areas of darker patina. The furniture retains 75% plus period refinished blue. The stock is very good and has cracks extending from the nose and tail of the lock, a faint tension crack at the rear lock screw, and mild dings and scratches. The set trigger could use some adjustments; otherwise, mechanically fine.