A Percussion ‘Irish’ Duelling Pistol by Wogdon. 16” overall, 11” swamped octagonal wire twist iron 29 bore barrel, breech with a transverse band of beadwork at the rear, silver adjustable fore sight, with London Proofs & ‘RW’ stamp on underside of barrel. Nipple bolster brazed to side of touch hole. Tang finely engraved with foliage & a band of beadwork, & incorporating the back sight, flat bevelled bolted stepped detented lock signed ‘Wogdon’ in a curtained oval. Flat engraved hammer, wide engraved safety bolt. Figured full stocks with rounded flat sided butt, iron mounts comprising butt cap, trigger guard with acorn finial & decorated with a flower head on the bow, two turned ramrod pipes, later horn tipped ramrod, silver side escutcheon with owners initials ‘JJB’.
Circa 1785
Interesting high quality pistols with a continental conversion to percussion, nipple bolster loose.
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.
Pistol illustrated in John O'Sullivan & De Witt Bailey, ‘Robert Wogdon & Barton, John Barton, London Gunmakers 1764-1819’, 2019, page 273 .
From The Peter Frazer Collection