These unique dueling pistols are an incredible piece of art and American history. Heavy, bronze fore ends were added to give the muzzle extra weight, which supposedly makes the arm steadier and aim more true. Thats at least one theory anyways. In 1974 Bid: Shipping: Calculated on checkout Accepted Payment Methods: Returns: 7 Days Description: These pistols are exact museum-quality replicas of those used by Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr during the most famous duel of all time which took place in 1804. The dueling pistols are also engraved in fine script with their barrel address and maker's name. People think Im Aaron Burr the way Im dropping Hamitons. He was a gun maker and seller from 1817 -1851. Hamilton's 19-year-old son Philip was killed in a duel near present-day Jersey City in November 1801 that had resulted from Philip's conflict with George Eacker, a Democratic-Republican who maligned Philip's father in a speech. The lead .54 caliber ball found Hamilton's liver and killed him within 36 hours. explaining the pistols' historical significance, biographical information on Hamilton and Burr, a theoretical description of the duel itself, and other fascination information; also a diagram of the secret hair-trigger and directions on setting it are included. The stocks have no notable damage with only light handling marks and light thinning finish at some edges and corners. Silver trigger. Locks and bree, PERCUSSION TARGET PISTOLS- DUELING from estate of C. Harris of Mountain View Mo. Circa 1904 photo, showing the percussion conversion. To activate it, the trigger only needed a slight nudge forward. Truly a fascinating time in our history. Thirty-six hours later, the ten-dollar Founding Father was gone. It was neither the first nor the last such tragedy. 50 caliber with a 7 " barrel. This December, a fine collection of dueling pistols will be available for auction that span the course of centuries. Even on his deathbed, Hamilton reportedly admitted to not setting the hair trigger, providing compelling evidence that the former Treasury secretary didn't have any deadly intentions that July day. Bicentennial Society of Richmond, headed by historian Virginius Dabney, to remove the pistols from the vault and have them reproduced. A photo believed to date to 1904 shows the pistols in their current configuration - one flintlock and one percussion. We had to take the original pistol completely apart to authenticate the reproduction. Today, the thought of handling personal or political disputes is such a foreign concept, it might as well be alien. Having been acquitted of murder, dueling and treason he resumed a modest law practice in New York but died bankrupt and living in a Staten Island boarding house in 1836. In 1974, when the pistols were disassembled for study and to create replicas in honor of 1976s bicentennial, the supposedly startling discovery of the hair trigger grew into a the idea that Hamilton actually had a secret advantage. Also, they were originally fully stocked in walnut, and the bronze {not brass} crude forestocks are later additions., since Wogdon would never have butchered his pistols in that manner. Yet the pistols are just the tip of the iceberg, says philately curator Daniel Piazza, overseer of the show. Featuring magnificent cannon style barrels, intricate wood carvings, and extravagant silver snarling lion trigger guards & pommels, these dueling pistols are estimated at $50,000-$70,000. The most notable difference is the .54-caliber barrel, not the standard .50, meaning that the pistols needed a larger lead ball. There are no chips or cracks. Advertising Notice They are a chance to travel back in time to 1855 for a brief taste of the magic and wonders the Exposition held within its walls. Estimated at $7,500-$12,000, these dueling pistols are beautiful, rare, and historically significant. Hamilton fired the first shot; he missed Burr and struck a tree near him. The Burr-Hamilton duel is one of the most famous personal conflicts in American history. While not technically dueling pistols, this pair of Gastinne-Renette pistols are too beautiful not to share. One edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica notes, "His fair and judicial manner as president of the senate, recognized by his bitterest enemies, helped to foster traditions in regard to that position" He was "generous to a fault, and was intensely devoted to his wife and daughter.". It is hard to know the intent of the dying Hamilton, who said that he had no intention of shooting Burr. Even though no one was pointing a loaded pistol at me, I squeezed too hard too soon and blew my hopes by throwing away a shot, high in the sky. The infamous Alexander Hamilton/ Aaron Burr duel in Weehawken New Jersey that led to Hamilton's untimely death may have been a result of a little-known hair-trigger in the dueling pistols that was atypical of dueling pistols at the time. If one fella wants to kill another, and the other agrees to fight, how is that any of my(or the State, or anyones) business? We could use some savagery in this country again to combat the beta male epidemic. ", August 2012 Videos of secret hair trigger assembly, Hair trigger 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trZ_j1RysOE, Hair trigger 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GofgeWV8iw0, Hair trigger 3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UKqqbFBUTE. Terms of Use Only because there is money involved? Estimated Price: $1,500 - $2,250. I, too, was born at Belvedere in 1872, and it was in this historic old place on the Genesee River that the pistols and the many interesting letters were kept for generations.". Why would only one of the guns be converted to percussion? These pistols were hand-crafted and hand-engraved for the U.S. Own these rare pieces of history at the December 4th-6th Premier Firearms Auction at Rock Island Auction Company. List $2,995 Lot 1279: Extraordinary Documented Cased Pair of Sculpted, Relief Chiseled, Gold Accented, and Relief Carved Gastinne-Renette Exhibition Percussion Pistols from the French Industrial Exposition of 1844. They were made by a leading English gunsmith and first owned by Hamilton's brother-in-law. Hamilton had played a major role in founding the Bank of New York and the Bank of the United States, which for a time enjoyed a virtual monopoly. Black Powder Firearms. So in order to get the full Hamilton experience, youd best be quick on the draw. Hamiltons Seconds knew this which is why they did not immediately shoot Burr down as frequently happened in a botched duel such as this. Over the years, other pistols have been claimed as the offending weapons. Hamilton has always come across as the good guy, tragically slain. Hamilton also contributed, along with his father-in-law, General Philip Schuyler, to Burr's defeat in his bid for the governorship of New York in 1804, the year of the fateful duel. Serial no. Its the story of a, In 1873, two of America's greatest gunmakers would unveil the defining arms of the era. Henry Nock dueling pistols are difficult to find because they made up so little of the gunmakers complete portfolio. The bank Burr founded, which is now Chase Manhattan, has done research in the archives and documents connected with this bit of history. You have entered an incorrect email address! 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Held within a gorgeous purple lined case, these percussion dueling pistols are estimated at $7,000-$10,000. The guns are permanently displayed there, but they are currently on display(until September 16, 2018) at the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC. In most cases, the duel was about ones honor and not the infliction of violence. Historical Society Model: Alexander Hamilton-Aaron Burr Reproduction Flintlock Dueling Pistols Serial Number: 874A and 874B Year of Manufacture: 1976 (ATF classified as antique) Caliber: .54 Caliber Action Type: Muzzle Loading Flintlock Action with Single Set Trigger Markings: The tops of the barrels In 1797, Alexander Hamilton's brother-in-law, John Barker Church, had obtained an exquisite pair of custom-made dueling pistols made by Wogdon. Hamilton played a role in establishing the Postal Service.). Among the Revolutionary War artifacts, Piazza is especially excited by a letter from Hamilton written in the crucible of Valley Forge, as well as a two-volume encyclopedia on fiscal policy that the teenaged immigrant improbably lugged around with him throughout his soldiering years. Bad news for anyone caught in its path. The most controversial feature of these pistols is the much-discussed "hair trigger" or "set trigger." The reproductions, which have been made with complete fidelity to the original surviving flintlock, were made under my supervision by the Italian gunsmith, Walter Agnoletto, who restores ancient arms for museums all over the world. Burr obtained a charter from New York State for the new water company. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Other entrances have variable hours. Gathered at Weehawken, New Jersey, on July 11, 1804, Hamilton and Burr prepared for the duel. Red Sox vs. Yankees, Coke vs. Pespi, Hatfields vs. McCoys. The guns had several special features, including heavy brass forends for steadier aim and both front and rear sights for a more accurate shot. Hamilton says the legend, brilliant former Secretary of Treasuryand driving force of the Federalist Party (who sought a strong central government), was ruthlessly gunned down by Burr, Vice President under Jefferson and later tried for treason because of his mad plan to set up a Mississippi Valley empire. "Hair triggers were not all that uncommonat that time.. Set triggers: By the 1790s it would be unusual to encounter duelling pistols that did not have set triggers. The octogon barrrel is 7" long and the over. A depiction of the Weehawken duel on July 11, 1804. A remarkable man if there ever was one. that company's charter included a clause giving it the right to engage in "moneyed transactions." Rock Island Auction Company would like to kindly remind you to cast your vote November 3rd. Doesnt the challenged get to pick weapons to be used in duel? Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Church was unharmed. Translated from the original French, one period author takes note of just how remarkably beautiful these pistols are. The author states, "One of the beautiful things in the exhibition of weapons was a pair of pistols of M. Gastinne Renette. He was either trying to make Burr out to be a cruel scoundrel which he succeeded in doing, or he was trying to divert attention from the pistols, realizing that they would do him no credit if the trick were found.". Piazza says he was easily the best-informed member of Washingtons Cabinetand it was an illustrious group. Guns Pistols Muzzleloading Modern Replica Pistols flint Hamilton Burr Dueling Pistols | 471 | 74 | Lc | 109.2888ms. On the morning of July 11, 1804, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr raised their dueling pistols and took aim. Hamilton, the former secretary of the treasury, and Vice President Burr were longstanding political rivals and personal enemies. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Surprise, the third entry in the superb Aubrey/Maturin canon. Year of Manufacture: 1976 (ATF classified as antique) On the morning of July 11, 1804, at the Heights of Weehawken in New Jersey, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury General Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded in a pistol duel with U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr. Has 9.5 "" barrel and measures 16"" overall. Find them at the December Premier event at Rock Island Auction Company. Burr has always worn the black hat. Well, in the early 19th century, the family probably didnt think those pistols would be all that significant. Hamilton chose to fight with Church's pistols. So long as there is violence involved, lots of people will be glad to pony up. In the two centuries since, the duel has become an essential part of American lore. The truth is, the pistol in Hamilton's hand did indeed shoot harmlessly high, its ball striking a tree behind Burr, 12 feet up. The hooks or spurs on the trigger guard can be used with your middle finger to help steady the pistol. The combatants were Federalist stalwart Alexander Hamilton and his longtime Democratic-Republican rival Aaron Burr, whom Hamilton (as a congressman) had been instrumental in saddling with the vice presidency in the controversial Election of 1800. Today dueling is an archaic practice consigned to history, but these two pistols still preserve a legacy that shaped a nation with one pull of the trigger. Antique FRENCH BRACE of Percussion OFFICERS Pistols by ROGUET ST. ETIENNE SILVER & GOLD INLAID Pair of ENGRAVED Pistols! COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. The Colt Single Action Army revolver and the Winchester Model. The sides of the grip part of the stocks are checkered and as the checkering runs down the curved backstrap it turns into serrations at the bottom. Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. the insult was deliberate, obviously planned and issued in front of Burr's friends. 6.5 Creedmore at 1500 yards? This would give Hamilton a theoretical advantage by allowing him to shoot very quickly with a tiny, half pound squeeze on the trigger. In the late 18th century, there was no one more associated with flintlock dueling pistols than Robert Wogdon. The pistols, which are marked Wogdon, on the locks and top flat were actually manufactured before 1797, since Wogdon joined with Barton in 1794 to form Wogdon and Barton. Hamilton died the following day in New York, aged either 47 or 49, based on varied accounts of his year of birth. Here we present a Pair of Cased Joseph Manton & Reynolds Duel, BRACE of 18th C. SILVER Mounted FLINTLOCK Pistols Matching from the 1700s 1st French Colonial Empire Here we present a pair of antique French Flintlock Officers Pistols, mad, CASED Pair of ENGRAVED, DAMASCUS Belgian DUELING or TARGET Pistols Liege Proofed & Maker Marked Pistols Here we present a matched pair of Belgian Dueling or Target Pistols, made circa the 18, "Made circa 1845-1850. One interesting fact here though is that the Wogdon pistols do not have the small visible adjustment screw located externally, next to the trigger, that is obvious proof that it is a set trigger. Some makers located the adjustment externally to the lock, others internally. Proper dueling pistols do not have adjustable sights. McKean came from an eminent Pennsylvanian family with close ties to the American Revolution. In a scene that is scarcely imaginable today, on July 11, 1804 the vice president of the United States, Aaron Burr, killed former secretary of the treasury and retired two-star army general Alexander Hamilton in a duel. The. If there are any questions about consignment, future auctions, or registration, contact Rock Island Auction Company today. As mentioned earlier, Renette was a highly influential gunmaker of the 19th century who designed weapons for significant world leaders such as Napoleon III and members of the Spanish nobility. BRACE of 18th C. SILVER Mounted FLINTLOCK Pistols Matching from the 1700s 1st French Colonial Empire, CASED Pair of ENGRAVED, DAMASCUS Belgian DUELING or TARGET Pistols Liege Proofed & Maker Marked Pistols, "Beautiful Constable of Philadelphia Dueling Pistol (AH6491), Recreated Antique ca.1840 Black powder .50 Cal. This set of pistols is an item of rare beauty and value-a true treasure. Burr then fired, hitting Hamilton in the lower abdomen with a .54-caliber lead ball. dismantled in order to re-construct only 1200 sets of replica pistols; the set herein up for auction being number "1070". After the third and final duel, the pistols were returned to Colonel John B. This is in contrast to early duelling pistols, which were intended for snap-shooting, and functioned as an extension of the arm, particularly so for Wogdon pistols. During the Civil War era, one of the pistols flintlocks was switched out for a cap lock in an effort to modernize them. Make: Made by Uberti for the U.S. Manufacturer: US Historical Society. Enjoy this content? Weighted forends and sights were not used on true duelling pistols. Bicentennial Society Burr-Hamilton Duel Commemorative Wogdon Flintlock Pistols -A) Reproduction Wogdon Flintlock Dueling PistolOne of 1,200 pairs manufactured for the United States Bicentennial Society for the bicentennial in 1976 based on the original pistols used in the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr that are owned by JPMorgan Chase & Co. Burr came of illustrious parentage: his father was the second president of Princeton (then the College of New Jersey), his mother was the daughter of Jonathan Edwards. "Actually, the Church pistols have several unusual characteristics which should have disqualified them for use in duels. The pistols are set in a fitted and lined solid American cherry display. While it might be hard to imagine with 21st century hindsight, duels used to be a very popular and a frequent method to resolve disputes and defend ones honor. While the design looks a bit odd, the author has found most sawhandle pistols point very naturally. Alexander Hamilton was the most celebrated casualty of the dueling ethic, having lost his life in an 1804 feud with Aaron Burr on the fields ofWeehawken, New Jersey, but there were many more who . Historical Society Model: Alexander Hamilton-Aaron Burr Reproduction Flintlock Dueling Pistols Serial Number: 130A and 130B Year of Manufacture: 1976 (ATF classified as antique) Caliber: .54 Caliber Action Type: Muzzle Loading Flintlock Action with Single Set Trigger 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. The slightly later (1800-1820 period) English dueling pistols (by Manton, Durs Egg and others) Ive examined at antique gun shows have been of the highest quality, and mostly all smoothbores. The ambitious display will be tripartite in structure, its sections focusing on Hamilton as soldier, Hamilton as Treasury Secretary, and Hamilton as enduring icon, respectively. While shots were never fired, Honest Abe and his opponent drew positions before their seconds were eventually able to intervene and resolve the conflict. The sensational duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr has taken its place among American legends, along with Washington chopping down the cherry tree. #253AP SPARK FLINTLOCK DUELING PISTOL, 58 cal., 8 oct. "Belgian Percussion Dueling pistol in approximately .50 caliber. It was on the occasion of the U.S. It's likely we never will. Cookie Policy Recently on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from the Dr. Gerald Klaz collection, these Gastinne-Renette percussion dueling pistols are absolutely gorgeous. Click here for a free 3-page download with tips about caring for your antique and collectible firearms. Before getting too far ahead of the story, we must go back to Europe for the birth of Robert Wogdon in 1737. In politics he won the same number of votes as Jefferson for the Presidency, became Vice President upon decision by the House of Representatives. Since the 1800s, explorers and dangerous game hunters navigating the African bush have trusted their lives to the double rifle. Sights / Optics: The front sights are short blades dovetailed into the barrel. Ive often wondered why only one (and not the pair) was converted from flintlock to percussion. octagon sighted barrel engraved on the top fla, "Belgian Percussion Dueling pistol in approximately .50 caliber. Hamilton/Burr Replica Dueling Pistol Set For Sale from: Hunters Trading Post | Positive feedback: 99% View | Verified Seller | 908 Completed Sales View Sellers Items SOLD - $2,995.00 Shipping: $30.00 (or FREE in-store pick up!) Are You Old Enough to Know Why This is Funny? I have a cased set of Wogdon duellers from about 1780-85, and also five single Wogdon duelling pistols. One such client was John Baker Church, Alexander Hamilton's brother-in-law and husband of Angelica Schuyler. Uberti Hamilton-Burr Limited Edition Cased Replica Dueling Pistols. In 1795, Wogdon partnered with another English gunsmith, John Barton, to ensure his pistols would remain in production after his retirement. and pretty soon through natural selection congress would be completely made up of force recon marines and army snipers. Bronze fore end and ramrod ferrule. One of the most distinguished dueling pistol makers in England during the 18th century was Henry Nock. Thus, that is how they appeared when purchased by Chase Manhattan Bank in 1930. At twenty-one, while still a student at King's College (now Columbia University), he persuaded New York's Provincial Congress to commission him as an artillery captain, then . During the Civil War era, one of the pistols flintlocks was switched out for a cap lock in an effort to modernize them. They were probably fitted to make the pistols muzzle-heavy, which was supposed to be an advantage for marksmen dwelling on an aim. You have my vote. Etc.you must remember that none of these functions of government existed and the new republic had to create a whole government under the constitutionwe created a completely new form of government that existed nowhere else in the world at any time-have you read ANY books on the revolution and the establishment of our nationor are you a creature of the internet hh. Steel ramrod. The duel was fought with Church's pistols. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a21083805/hamilton-dueling-pistols/, https://untappedcities.com/2016/02/16/alexander-hamilton-and-aaron-burrs-dueling-pistols-are-in-the-jp-morgan-chase-headquarters-in-nyc/. Make: Made by Uberti for the U.S. Gunmaker-in-ordinary to King George III, ruler during the American Revolution, Nocks inventions and contributions to the field of weaponry and arms development lead to the advancement of volley guns, repeating rifles, and other firearms throughout much of his lifetime. The Wogdon pistols used in the Hamilton-Burr duel belonged to Hamilton's brother-in-law, Colonel John Barker Church. The large exhibition will be up through next March, but Hamilton and Burrs pistols, on loan from JPMorgan Chase & Co., will only be on view through June 24. .50 Caliber with multi groove rifling. Action Type: Muzzle Loading Flintlock Action with Single Set Trigger https://untappedcities.com/2016/02/16/alexander-hamilton-and-aaron-burrs-dueling-pistols-are-in-the-jp-morgan-chase-headquarters-in-nyc/, After the infamous Hamilton-Burr duel, the pistols were used in the Civil War,. Lot 332: Cased Pair of John Blissett & Son Percussion Dueling Pistols. The smoothbore Damascus barrels have dovetailed bead front sights, and notch sights are on the upper tangs which have martial and floral engraving. Dueling with pistols usually required you to bring your arm down and pull the trigger when your index finger was pointed at your antagonist. They are represented in The Mets collection as an example of artistic gunmaking. These antique dueling pistols feature all the iconic themes and motifs one comes to expect of a Boutet. There is a tiny nick on the underside of one pistol but it in no way diminishes the astonishing beauty of these pieces. Live on ESPN? Under his direction, some of the finest pieces of firearms art ever crafted flowed from Versailles. He actually lead the U.S. out of 43 million dollars of debt. Overall, by 1790-1800, if you were familiar with duelling pistols you would assume that they had set triggers unless they were of very early manufacture. Thank god we have become to civilized to shoot at one another over petty arguments. Perhaps the most famous duel of all time occurred between former secretary of the treasury and retired two-star army general Alexander Hamilton and the then-current vice president Aaron Burr. Smithsonian article on Alexander Hamilton's trick pistols, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trZ_j1RysOE, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GofgeWV8iw0, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UKqqbFBUTE. Who doesnt love a good rivalry? Barrel length 10" and is 16" overall length. He finished his term as vice president in 1805 and lived to be 80, dying in 1836. Certainly not Napoleon III who hosted the Exposition Universelle in 1855 to upstage Londons Great Exhibition held 4 years prior. If however duelling pistols were not your scene, there was no visible indication that the Wogdons had set triggers. But even with a history well-documented, mysteries still remain about the pistols that killed a founding father. This includes the earliest of true duelling pistols, dating from 1775-ish. the job on the first pistol showed the then-owner that it wasnt a smart thing to do, so he didnt have it done to the second pistol, the owner died, or for some other reason, didnt pay the gunsmith for the first conversion. John Adams even went so far as to once describe him as one of the three men in the Continental Congress who appeared to me to see more clearly to the end of the business than any others in the whole body. Estimated at $9,500-$16,000, these pistols are a beautiful representation of the industry of Philadelphia and American history in general. How can we be sure that these pistols are indeed the ones that killed Hamilton? A bank publication establishes that these pistols were used in tree duels. This gun is one of his late, This is a Recreated 1840 Antique .50 cal. By using them, Hamilton could surreptitiously set his hair trigger without anyone's noticing. Hamiltons antipathy for Burr ran deepin a list of indictments he penned on January 4, 1801, the father of the national bank fulminated, [Burr] is in every sense a profligate, a voluptuary in the extreme, with uncommon habits of expence; in his profession extortionate to a proverb. Yet on that fateful New Jersey morning in 1804, when Hamilton fired first, he missedsome argue deliberately (a tactic dueling buffs call deloping). Ryan P. Smith Colonel Church's great granddaughter, Mrs. Mary Helen Church Gilpin, has written about the subsequent history of the pistols: "John B. The right sides of the barrels are marked 478A and 478B. Burr was charged with murder, but the charges were dropped. More recently, the pair of dueling pistols was on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, being displayed in the Arms & Armor Galleries. The pistols have 9" Browned barrels, hardwood dark stained stocks and st, BRITISH (LONDON) PERCUSSION OFFICERS DUELLING PISTOL WITH AUSTRALIA AGENT MARK CIRCA 1840. Aiming was never a part of a legitimate duel. Gun has an adjustable set, "Pair of Cased English Duellers by Southall. The name HAMILTON DUELING PISTOL, for those who may be wondering, alludes to the historical duel between political rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.