John Barton partnered with famous English dueling pistol maker Robert Wogdon in 1794 and after the end of their partnership worked at 14 Haymarket in 1803-1816 and then 5 St. James St. Haymarket in 1816-1819. These pistols certainly resemble to classic late 18th dueling pistols of Wogdon and Wogdon & Barton. At approximately 15 bore (.677 caliber), they are fairly large bore for dueling pistols and may have instead been intended for use as officer's or traveling pistols. Unlike most English dueling pistols of the period, they also have plain triggers. The smoothbore barrels have dovetailed silver blade front sights, "Barton London" signed on top at the breeches, gold lined vents, and decorative border engraving at the breech ends. The standing breeches incorporate notch rear sights and have scroll and floral engraving. The locks are signed "Barton" and have burst and floral engraving and frizzen spring rollers. The furniture is blued and includes mainly floral engraving patterns including the classic pineapple finial design on the trigger guards. The nicely figured stocks are smooth with slap sided, bag shaped wrists. The pair comes in a fitted case with a Barton trade label noting "Late Wogdon & Barton" and listing the 1803-1816 address. The case contains a loading/cleaning rod, interesting leather powder flask with leather pocket on the back, and a couple lead balls.

See "A".