A Cased Pair of Flintlock Officer’s Pistols by Wogdon. 12 ½” overall, 8” slightly swamped twist 25 bore barrels signed 'Wogdon London' in script on the flats, struck with view mark on left hand side of the breeches, & barrelsmith's mark 'RW'. Silver adjustable fore sights, border engraved tangs decorated with acanthus scrolls & a band of foliage behind the breeches. Stepped bevelled locks signed ‘Wogdon’, beneath the pans, fitted with bevelled swan necked cocks, spoon shaped pans. Highly figured walnut full stocks, flat sided butts, iron mounts comprising plain trigger guards with shell finials, two engraved side nails & side nail washers, & a pair of ring turned ramrod pipes, with original horn tipped ramrods; one with worm. In their original green baize lined fitted mahogany caddy top Chippendale case, the lid with inset carrying handle. With some original accessories including a brown leather bottle shaped powder flask with baluster nozzle & a bullet mould.
Circa 1775
Plain but very well made pistols in very good condition, some original finish remaining, some moth damage to case lining.
Robert Wogdon was apprenticed to Edward Newton of Grantham, Lincolnshire in 1748. He is recorded as 'Gunmaker, at Mr. Maw's Haberdasher, Cockspur St., Charing Cross' in 1764. He carried on his business in Haymarket from 1774 until his retirement in 1802. From 1795 he was in partnership with John Barton who carried on the business following Wogdon's retirement.
See John O'Sullivan & De Witt Bailey, ‘Robert Wogdon & Barton, London Gunmakers 1764-1819’, 2019, Page 242 for similar pistols.
From The Peter Frazer Collection.