Alexander Hamilton's Three Duels
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Alexander Hamilton fought more than the one duel everyone remembers. The History Guy remembers three of Hamilton's duels, two pistols, and one place.
The History Guy uses images that are in the Public Domain. As photographs of actual events are often not available, I will sometimes use photographs of similar events or objects for illustration.
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That finding about the hair trigger adds a whole new meaning to “I watched as he methodically fiddled with the trigger...”
Unsure of the definite veracity of the statement, but Encyclopedia Britannica states that Hamilton chose not to set the feature.
1:32 A visit from the Cat over the speaker's left shoulder. Cat wants to duel.
Cats have better sense.
If Hamilton provided the pistols for the duel honor would demand that Burr be given his choice of pistols , there is no way that Hamilton could know which pistol he would end up with .
Ah, but knowledge is power! Just knowing which pistol would misfire, would give an advantage. In this case, it's clear that Hamilton was counting on Burr to miss deliberately. This is speculation, but it's the only reasonable conclusion, as Burr was known to be too much a gentleman to kill in cold blood.
.......Amazing story Mr. History Guy. Thank you.
I believe the dueling pistols mentioned here were made by Robert Wogdon of London. Wogdon is credited with being the father of the dueling pistol as mentioned in a poem starting with the opening line. "Hail Wogdon, father of the leaden death".
At the time of manufacture of these dueling pistols 'set triggers' were the norm on the finest duelers made in London by all the best makers, Twigg, Nock, D Egg, Mortimer, Griffin and the Mantons.
A misconception that is popular today is both principles of the duel used pistols from the same set. Actually each principal was expected to bring and use his own pair of dueling pistols. As these pistols were custom made to the customers specific requirements including the fit in the hand of the owner there is the possibility that the principal who is not the owner of the set could be at a disadvantage by a pistol that did not fit properly in his hand. The reason for two pistols was if there arose the need for a second shot to settle the affair.
Just some general info here, thanks.
Dueling pistols have always been of interest to me and I am currently hand making a pair of duelers in the case with all accessories influenced by Robert Wogdon.
Historical coincidence at its best, incredible juggling act H guy.
I always enjoy your snippets of history.
That was an excellent explanation of how the two pistol triggers were modified. Very enjoyable episode.
This are some wild facts, Hamilton's family really had a duelling issue haha. I really enjoyed watching this! You did really well at explaining everything in ways that made sense and the facts were all super interesting
None of our current politicians have the guts to engage in dueling. I would love to see it though.
TheTruth LOL I am not convinced that bringing back dueling would a good idea.
It would perhaps be an effective way to weed out many career politicians. If so, it would most likely tone down the fiery rhetoric , if they knew it may result in their own death. Also, perhaps insulting Tweets could be added to Dueling ........... I have been to the spot where the famous Hamilton / Burr duel took place. Very good video. Keep up the good work History Guy!
I don’t know about that I feel like John McCain would have no problem dueling with someone if he was in better health.
Yes, With all his faults, I am certain that Mccain would duel with someone he was pissed off at. Which may have led him into a duel where the other was a better shot. Perhaps long ago. His temper is legendary ........ that often is a trait that leads to an early death, or downfall. Karma often has the last laugh.
None of our current politicians have the guts to engage in doing their jobs.
Whole video in a nutshell: "small world..." . Yet another brilliant video, also.
I read in a book some years back, the famous duel between Burr and Hamilton, pistols with set triggers were used. The story was that Hamilton had the choice of weapons and chose pistols he may have believed were unfamiliar to Burr. Burr was very familiar and Hamilton's attempt at advantage had instead foolishly cost him his life, especially since he'd been challenged by Burr before over an offense and chose to recant the offending statements rather than meet on the field of honor. Lesson: Don't let your mouth write a check your ass can't cash.
Or do not throw away your shot
The greatest tragedy about Hamilton is that he & Burr did not fight their duel sooner.
A video on famous Duels would be amazing!!
Our forefathers were incredible people, had to be deal with the political landscape, craft a nation & to simply stay alive. What history & once again told so well with such rich detail. Thanks for the ride.
Great story and a cause of wonderment! Thanks Kindly History Guy and my best to your History Gal as well! DaveyJO in Pa.
This guy should be the Secretary of Education!!!! Aaron Burr was the man when it came to dueling!!
Again great story
1:32 - Special guest star appearance by The History Cat (THC)
Thank you. Awesome stuff.
"Hair" trigger of "set" triggers were common on fine guns in that era. Can't see anything unseemly about it. I'm sure that both party,s were aware of them but if you do not handle the gun very carefully firing prematurely could occur.
Along with giving credit to Chernow for the biography, please give Lin-Manual Miranda credit for Hamilton - The Musical.
Great video!!
Here's one for you... The Roseville California bomb explosion at the Munitions Depot. My granny showed me a picture of the devastation in a old newspaper she held onto. Look into it you'll find it Beyond interested good stuff I love your program
I like a hair trigger on my fishing reals... not on my pistols... lol
I think old Hamilton just got served with a heavy dose of karma.
It's more likely that Hamilton fired high because he WASN'T trying to wound or kill the man who had spared him a potentially disgraceful duel with a fellow "Founding Father". But Burr wasn't so benevolent this time and was intent on ending his personal problem with Hamilton.
Outrageous
Another great video! After watching, I came away with two thoughts:
1. After hearing the myriad explanations for Hamilton's errant shot, it's good to know conspiracy theories are not a new phenomenon.
2. While we may not wish to bring back dueling, we should bring back the original Constitutional method of choosing senators. The House is the people's chamber. The Senate should represent the individual states.
Karma caught up with him......the only bad thing about the Burr- Hamilton duel is that both of the duelists didn't die
I always thought that dueling should make a comeback. Imagine if in the age of the internet troll you could actually call someone out to defend yourself. Or gangs solving disputes one-on-one with no drive-buys or innocent bystanders. Mutual physical combat is generally legal but I guess you can’t use weapons. Weird times.
That hair trigger could have been used against Hamilton! If he didn’t know about it and started squeezing it as he brought the pistol down, firing early and leaving him a sitting duck for Burr!
Kitty Kat Kameo @ 1:31.. ME-OUCH!!!!
Cheeres from Hazelwood Mo. G night 😎
We should bring back dueling. MSM would be far more honest.
damn set triggers lol
I think it’s shocking that Hamilton kept fighting duels after his own son was killed in a duel, and the duel with Burr was even on the exact same “dueling ground” where Hamilton’s son was killed. Somehow, it must have all seemed worth it to Alexander Hamilton.
I wish duels was still allowed
Im disappointed in your presentation, you featured Percussion lock Pistols (the first ones being pocket pistols circa 1840's plus NOT Duelling pistols) the Burr -Hamilton Duelling pistols werent in your presentation ....why ?
I don't know why but every time you say "I have a degree in history," in my mind I almost always finish it up with, "so don't try this at home."
Hamilton was shot right above the hip in the side and the bullet lodged in his spine.
“They came dangerously close to calling each other... liars”
Bruh imagine
Ah. thanks. I needed that.
Doesn't compare with modern politicians namecalling.
@@phillipstoltzfus3014 i would have killed to see hilary and trump duking it out in a duel
@@k90sas-choppu46 Hillary would have someone get him in the back and then say he committed suicide.
Right?! The duels just from UA-cam comments alone would wipe out a significant fraction of our population...
I heard a great old story about Mark Twain being challenged to a dual. As Twain was the person who was challenged, he could choose the weapon. Twain chose cow crap at 10 paces. His opponent stood in disbelieve, then started laughing. They both laughed, shook hands and went to a bar, joked, laughed, and got drunk. I do not know if this story is true. However it is a very good story.
Lol
It was Abraham Lincoln not Mark Twain. Lincoln ended up picking broadswords and when the challenger realized Lincoln had crazy reach, he backed down.
Jester 117 thats a completely different story.
I had heard this, but the challenged was Abraham Lincoln, not Mark Twain.
I would have accepted those terms and would have delighted in beaning him in the face five times because one clump of crap in the face would be far too few.
"Qualifications?"
"Duels, revolution, diplomacy, and duels."
"You said duels twice."
"I like duels."
(to plagiarise Blazing Saddles...)
Alexander Hamilton had a dueling problem.
Duely noted
Yeah, sounds like he was a duelaholic! 😂
@@boringopr4369 LOL good one
(laughs in Andrew Jackson)
@Ari Renzi-Surprenant
LOL!
People: Politics is really nasty today
Me: The Vice President once killed the former Secretary of the Treasury in a duel
Maybe things would be better that way. More duels, less rhetoric.
Nowadays, we just have keyboard warriors.
A member of the House of Representatives beat a Senator nearly to death one day on the Senate floor.
Here's a bunch more from the 1850s: www.history.com/news/charles-sumner-caning-cilley-duel-congressional-violence
Sharon Mullins talk less, pew more😂😂😂
Not only did the duel end Burr's career, it also undoubtedly ended Hamilton's as well...
The one good thing about that duel is the end of Hamilton's political career & influence.
@@joecombs7468 what makes you say that?
@@doxasnike4789 have you read anything Hamilton wrote?
He WAS the big all controlling federal government & high federal debt founding father.
He was the first person to propose a central bank like the federal reserve.
I think Aaron Burr should be posthumously awarded the medal of freedom.
@@joecombs7468 and? I agree with a lot of Hamilton’s viewpoints. Saying that burr should be awarded the medal of freedom is like saying lee Harvey Oswald or John Wilkes Booth should be awarded them by people who disagree with JFK or Lincoln-it was still a killing of an influential political figure
@@doxasnike4789 it was a duel initiated by Hamilton.
Hamilton's views are diametrically opposed to everything in the constitution.
The United States was intended to be a nation of, by, and for the people.
Hamilton wanted the United States to be a top down authoritarian nation of, by, and for big banks.
And if you haven't figured it out yet, high federal government debt causes inflation.
If you really want to live in a nation like Hamilton envisioned you have many choices including several in South America.
And Aaron Burr was the vice president. That position is a little bit more influential than Treasury Secretary.
Like I said. Hamilton initiated that duel not Burr.
In later years, after he was President, Monroe (in financial difficulties later) lived with his daughter in Manhattan. Monroe (one day) decided to seek out Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton and did so, to apologize about his share in revealing the Reynolds affair. Elizabeth had long before forgiven Alexander, and now mourned him. She told off Monroe about what she thought of him, and he left her presence red faced.
"Leave the gun, take the cannoli." That's Jersey for you.
“1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
It’s the ten challenges of Hamilton”
The "hair trigger," is what is referred to a s set trigger. It was designed to give a softer trigger. It could be, that originally, both pistols had set triggers.. With a good set trigger, you don't put your finger on the trigger, before you are ready to fire. They fire with ounces of pressure, not pounds. If you are not ready for it, they will fire too soon.
Yes, most people don't know this. In fact most people in the shooting sports today don't know about set triggers, but they are often used by experienced target shooters. And from what I've read both pistols had set triggers.
@@ATINKERER which would make a lot more sense, as the challenged would have his choice of weapons, but would probably not know about the set trigger.
I love this program
1. The Challenge, demand satisfaction. If they apologize no need for further action.
2. If not, grab a second. Your lieutenant when there's reckoning to be reckoned.
3. Negotiate a peace or negotiate a time and place.
4. If no peace, grab some pistols and get a doctor on site
5. Duel before the sun is in the sky. (pick a place to die where it's high and dry)
6. Leave a note for your next of kin. Hope that heaven or hell let you in.
7. Confess your sins. Ready for the moment of adrenaline when you finally face your opponent.
8. Your last chance to negotiate
. Send in your seconds, see if they can set the record straight.
9. Look 'em in the eye, aim no higher
. Summon all the courage you require. Then count.
10 paces FIRE!
Smh
How does Alexander duel like he’s running out of time?!
"That man totally besmirched me, and I demand satisfaction from him."
From 1792? Lol
@BM 20 yeah that's the joke. From a show called it's always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Can't argue that the prospect of a duel likely made for a more polite society. Imagine how confused these men would be if they saw modern twitter "battles" between famous people.
It's more polite to attempt to murder someone who disagrees with you? I'll argue that prospect. AND DEMAND SATISFACTION! -_-
Celtic Batman: i'll be your second!
+Chris_0803 Yep, but I bet people would get their manners back in a hurry if they thought someone would call them out on it. We live in an era of cowards and bullies.
If you don't kill them....How will they ever learn.
Nocturnal Rites -- I wholeheartedly agree with you. Imagine being able to call out politicians and government employees who don't do their jobs.
I am from West Virginia, and would love to see a story on Harmon Blennerhasset and Aaron Burrs conspiracy. It has always seemed incomplete and vague.
West Virginiaaaa mountain mamaaaaa
I strongly recommend "Fallen Founder" a recent and excellent biography on Burr. Another great episode. Lover your stuff H.G.
I recomend found flounder a great fishing Guide.
David O. Stewart''s "American Emperor, Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson's America" covers Burr well - especially from Burr's role as Jefferson's first vice-president, when his even-handed handing of Samuel Chase's impeachment trial in the Senate gave Burr what glory he earned off the battlefield, through his sad regress afterward. If. Had Jefferson the same equanimity as Burr had during the Chase impeachment, American history might have changed for the better. As it is, Marbury v. Madison's finding that the Senate's trial findings aren't justiciable, even by the Supreme Court, is something the country owes to Aaron Burr.
Unfortunately Jefferson's inability to drop a grudge lost us the statesman Burr might have been after 1804. Or was it Burr's sense of entitlement, perhaps, to more than the world could could offer him?
I’m not saying Aaron Burr was a monster, but Fallen Founder goes way too far in the other direction. A good book on Aaron Burr remains to be written.
"Set Trigger" was and still is a common feature among single shot and precision firearms. The US Secret Service actually reviews that case in their academy. Since the Vice President was involved.
I've been watching through a bunch of your videos after finding one a week or two ago. I love your excitement about this stuff! Great video!
Ian Neubert Nothing more interesting than history. You can't make this stuff up!
@@winnifredforbes8712 . . . yes i can .
Pappy Okey dokey!
I believe that bringing back dueling would create greater unity politically. Politicians would be much less prone to hyperbole if they knew that might bring about a duel. ;)
I hope you are being facetious.
at least it would end repeated lying by politicians.... at least on the part of those who lost the duel
They would simply find new ways to cheat.
How about a duel between President Trump and Hilary Clinton? Can you imagine that?
@Jay Smith She used a repeating rifle, not a muzzle-loading dueling pistol.
Being a history buff, and enjoying little remembered events, I love this channel. Often when HG is building up to a climax I am always reminded of Paul Harvey saying, "and now, you know the REST of the story". :)
A duel _"something that could've cost either of them their lives."_
It also could have resulted in costing both men their lives; the August 27, 1831, Biddle Pettis duel, as an example.
Kowboy USA : Indeed, any wound could be fatal in the days before antisepsis and antibiotics.
Can't argue that the prospect of a duel likely made for a more polite society. Imagine how confused these men would be if they saw modern twitter "battles" between famous people.
There's a Robert Heinlein novel (the "Dean of science fiction") that depends on social dueling. The basis is that the human race is willingly allowing itself to be molded on accepted genetic principals, but not in a lab. Dueling eliminates the rude, stupid, and those with poor physical characteristics.
Sorry, don't remember the title of the book.
As is almost always the case in Heinlein's books, at the midpoint of the novel there's a twist changing the apparent plot to something else.
I believe Hamilton threw the duel to spite Burr. In his letters, he wrote of such an elaborate scheme, spent his last weeks with his family, and was often depressed about the loss of his son. Hamilton wanted to leave a legacy behind and at the time, he was losing political favor; he was referred to as a glorified has-been. Hamilton didn't want to be remembered in such a sour note before he left, and devised the plan to frame Burr and paint himself as the martyr. That's why I believe Hamilton shot first and missed on purpose. I think his plan was two-fold because he expected Burr to shoot him down. And although his last few moments were extremely painful, his plan had succeeded. Burr could not hold office again, his political career in shambles. At the same time, Hamilton was praised as the martyr he had hoped to be.
That sounds pretty ridiculous to me.
@@killcancer6499 You're right. It is ridiculous, but if you read into Hamilton's story, you'll see that I'm not making it up.
@@atmaillumina Hamilton's letter in which he stated he would throw the duel to a man he hated and sought to destroy for years would likely never have seen the light of day had Hamilton won. He claimed that he had no desire to kill Burr, and made no mention of trying to salvage his supposed loss of "political favor." It is difficult to imagine the man who challenged so many others to duels as a pacifist sacrificing himself to the pistol ball of a man he hated.
@@killcancer6499 You have to see it a different way. Hamilton was old and was already close to dying. Burr was en route to gaining political power and position. Hamilton killed two birds with one stone. You're currently thinking with the knowledge and possibly wisdom of a 21st century individual. Indeed to understand why Hamilton did this, you'll have to discard what you know and subscribe to the school of thought that Westerners had in those older times.
Additionally, the guns used had hair triggers, that Burr may not have known about:
aaronburrassociation.org/duel%20description.htm
www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a21083805/hamilton-dueling-pistols/
Your description of the purpose of a hair trigger is totally inaccurate. It has nothing to do with the speed of the shot. A lighter trigger pull usually equates to a more accurate shot. A more historically correct term for the hair trigger is, "set trigger," a feature often found on hunting firearms, and certainly firearms used for target shooting.
dotri 1967 yes, and single set triggers were fairly common
You are not right.
Haven’t you ever been surprised by the gun going off when you’re firing a light trigger, when you are used to a heavier pull??
I agree totally 1967, these " set triggers" were really designed for target work and are found on many fine arms. We have the old Dueling grounds outside DC in maryland. Much history there. The purpose of the set trigger mechanism is to remove the mechanical " trigger creep" ( removing the trigger slop, or mechanical slop of the firing parts) thus affording the most accurate shot. Common on well made weapons.
dotri 1967
Ya beat me to it, Brother.
Sco/ire America BRASS as taught by USMC - Breathe- Relax - Aim - SLACK -Squeeze
If the pistols belonged to Hamilton's family, wouldn't Burr have had his choice of pistol?
aaronburrassociation.org/duel%20description.htm
He would have. Though I’m not entirely sure Hamilton knew about he set trigger anymore than burr did. After all set triggers were extremely common at the time and both Hamilton and Burr served with similar pistols under General Washington. Hamilton and burr used to be friends and I don’t think they really meant to kill each other.
@@warrenrhinerson6373
Except Hamilton got them directly from the manufacturer, Burr did not.
@@b_uppy Not really. If you watch the video, Burr had already used these pistols before and they belonged to Hamilton's father in law. Plus set triggers were very common at the time for sporting or dueling pistols. Considering Burr had used the same pistols before, he most likely knew about the set trigger mechanism. Not to mention, Burr was a terrible shot while Hamilton was known for being a skilled Marksman. Though flintlock pistols are highly inaccurate, it's unlikely that Hamilton did missed by accident.
@@warrenrhinerson6373
Two things for Burr to have known that that/those pistol(s) had (a) hair trigger(s):
1.) He was told. These pistols had to be x-rayed to determine that they had hair triggers. It has never been noted in the historical record that they were.
2.) That he remembered what they looked like from previous duels. It is quite possible that (at least to Burr) these pistols were unremarkable looking, and if he didn't know they were the exact same pistols from his other duels he may have been counting on the honor of Hamilton to say something.
Burr never came close to hitting the other duelists because maybe he had been told of the hair trigger(s) in some instances, but not with the duel with Hamilton. Again, the historical record of the time makes no mention of a hair trigger.
When Burr prevented Hamilton and Monroe from killing each other in '92, he was already at odds with Hamilton, but spoke to Hamilton anyway.
I think Burr was honorable, Hamilton was a lot more iffy...
Hamilton much more likely knew about the hair trigger because of his relationship with the owner of the pistols.
Mea culpa about the question of ownership.
My great aunt had pistols that were used during duel between Hamilton and Burr. Her brother in law was an art collector for the Rockefellers. The story is he had the pistols and died in the bathtub in his New York apartment. My great aunt and her husband went to the apartment to get the pistols but the apartment was full of police. He also had a set of real nice ivory handled pistols in a nice case but the police already stole those pistols. The Hamilton/Burr dueling pistols were in a plan wooden case that is impossible to open unless you already new the secret way to open it. That is why the police couldn't open and know what was in it. So the police didn't steal it. My aunt and her husband got it and kept it under the bed we used to sleep on when we would visit her for many years. She got Alzheimer's and my father paid to keep her in an old age home for years. Some of her grand kids stayed in her home. One of her big oak trees fell and split the house into 2. They took everything of value and left without telling my father. There also was documentation with the pistols claiming they were used in the duel. This was almost 40 years ago. I do recall that there were notches craved into the brass bases of the pistol gripes.
Dueling Should Be Used Today It Would Solve a Lot of Quarrels Within Our Government 💨🔫😎
Chris Chiampo I agree.
@Sue Taft well it may not solve problems but they're up there not solving any problems anyway yes running their mouth and fighting. We can have pay-for-view. I mean think about it Crenshaw against AOC, I'd pay to see that McConnell against Schumer. I mean the list goes on and on. Who needs term limits. They'd start to learn act civilized. Most definitely earn that $174,000 a year Plus benefits.
It didn’t then and it wouldn’t now.
@@williamsample2631 the problem in all it's facets lies with the voters, we get the politicians we choose. That they inevitably can not get "anything done" is a direct reflection of the will of the American electorate.
@@christophers7753 Alas, I am afraid you are correct
How many times could you participate in dueling before your luck ran out?! Anybody who did that a lot obviously had a death wish.
Callie Masters. Good question. More than you think. Andrew Jackson fought about 109 duels in that era. Was shot a few times. Only killed one man, Charles Dickinson who had called Rachel a slut. Killed him calmly after Dickinson had fired a shot directly into Jackson's chest. From a Remi biography I recall:
Reflecting on the duel, the doctor remarked to Jackson, “I don’t see how you stayed on your feet after that wound.”
To which Jackson responded, “I would have stood up long enough to kill him if he had put a bullet in my brain.”
He fought the entire Creek War and defeated the British below New Orleans with a recent dueling bullet in his chest. Damned that wormey man from SC and Tenn was tough. You may or may not like him, but that was one strong will.
Callie Masters most duels were just a matter of formality. Most of the time the duelists would simply fire a shot in the air. Both men would have saved face by not backing out. Duels that were lethal were actually more rare than one would think.
Seems like Mr. Hamilton is at least one data point.
@@mercator79 Charles Dickerson was another. He was known for killing his opponents, not just couping them with token wounds, firing in the air with satisfaction only. He was a murderer using the code to cover his work, which he was said to relish. He's the one that called Rachel a slut.
Alex Hamilton's duel was a complex story of the same pistols being used for their sons' duels and their seconds' duels. Hamilton/Burr was a bigger family fight than just the two men. Interesting reading. We think it has never been so bad in politics. What, our guys just write a mean tweet that hurts your feelings..... Poor baby. These guys shot each other over politics.
Watch the movie The Big Gundown Starring Lee Van Cleef
I am VERY pleased that the hair-trigger issue was mentioned. I recall reading about it in 1976 (a year of all things Bi-Centennial). I believe the article was in an "American Heritage" magazine. I have been wondering if I was the only person in the world still aware of the finding. That hair-trigger, coupled with the Hamilton's apparent familiarity with those pistols, casts some serious shade on Hamilton's reputation. His volatile history does nothing to return the shine. Thanks for another good peek into an historical alcove.
Hair triggers were extremely common on duelling pistols. That those pistols had hair triggers is NOT a new revelation because in the published statements of the duel (which were extensively published in almost every newspaper in the USA at the time) their existence was mentioned. Burr also read these statements when they were published. Nobody ever seemed to suggest that there was anything unusual or dishonourable about this. In some duels there were rules about whether they were allowed to be used, but in the rules set out and written down by Hamilton’s second, such a rule for hair triggers was never mentioned and so presumably they could use them if they choose to. Possibly, for entire fairness such rules ought to have been written down, since it’s at least possible that burr didn’t know those specific guns had duels (although he was far more adapt with a pistol than Hamilton was) but their existence is nowhere near as devious or scandalous as people make out in modern accounts of the duel.
Everything's legal in Jersey.
🔫🔫
If you're a Hamilton and you're offered the family dueling pistols, just say no!
Just say no to this
I had always heard about the duel but I did not know about the circumstances that brought it on. A very interesting tutorial. Thanks for sharing this.
You never cease to amaze me with history ! Please Keep'em coming as I love learning more about history ! Thank you Sir !
I've been working my way through your videos, from oldest to newest, but this is the first time I've seen the STEALTH KITTY!!! (1:32)
Alexander had advised his son Phillip to fire high. that choice Phillip made resulted in his death. I can't imagine a man like Alexander Hamilton that lived by his own rules of honor would have any internal choice but to shoot high himself.
Thank you for the video. I believe both pistols have "Set Triggers" and their purpose wasn't to increase the speed of the shot, rather it was to enable an extremely light trigger press which is less likely to disturb one's sight picture when discharging the pistol.
How about telling us about the hats and other memorability that are display behind you. That would be interesting.
ua-cam.com/play/PLSnt4mJGJfGhaqf9Nk_fkzRlQNrsB2iMb.html
Thanks for this great examination of the Weehawken duels. I lived in Weehawken until I was 3 and visited grandparents there almost every weekend while growing up. The view of the NY skyline from the palisades is especially beautiful at night. I'd love to know more about the race to build the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. The Empire State Building has an interesting history of it's own (not just because of Kong, an airplane crashed into it once).
Hey History guy, would you do a video on the woman who invented deodorant, it’s always been one of my favorite history stories
Lol
Hamilton: I will serve my best and make sure I leave this earth greatly
Burr: Well...
Been a sub for a while. Not a big “liker” because I’m lazy. But you are AWESOME.
The secret set trigger revelation and its supposed dishonorable advantage has been mostly debunked. In 1975 with the Bicentennial coming up, everybody was jumping on the bandwagon in an effort to make a profit off of the year-long event. A for-profit company by the name of the United States Bicentennial Society was formed to release and sell expensive commemorative historical items. Their first issue was a cased set of silver-mounted flintlock pistols copied after a set that had been presented to George Washington during the revolution. Their second release about mid-1976 was an accurate copy of the Hamilton-Burr dueling pistols. By this time the company had changed its name to the US Historical Society--probably because they were going to stay in the commemorative business long after the Bicentennial ended. The company somehow convinced Chase Manhattan bank to loan one of the pistols to the USHS to copy. It was carried to Turin, Italy by flintlock historical author Merrill Lindsay to have the gun disassembled to make drawings for Uberti to reproduce the copies for the USHS issue. That's when the secret single set trigger was discovered.
They made a big deal about this discovery and it was written up in several gun magazines plus Mr. Lindsay wrote about it in an article published in the Smithsonian magazine. All of this hubbub was mostly done just to help promote the sale of the commemorative sets.
It turns out that later it was brought to light that single set triggers were very common on dueling pistols at the time and especially those made by English gun-maker--Robert Wogdon who made Mr. Church's set. These types of triggers were so common at the time that anybody familiar with firearms would have known about them or at the very least known to check for the feature. There is also one version of the story that has Hamilton's second asking if he had set the trigger to which Hamilton supposedly replied: "No, I won't be using it". This supports the theory that Hamilton intended to throw his shot away. This same write up indicates that because dueling was illegal in both New York and New Jersey at the time, the seconds and any other observers were required to turn their backs to the duel when the participants were ready to fire. The Idea was to prevent anybody from being able to be called as an eye witness to the actual duel in a murder trial.
Thus, no one is sure who fired first. The observers turned around to see Hamiton begin to crumple to the ground with Burr standing, seemingly aghast at what he had done. Burr started to move toward Hamilton, but his second grabbed him and escorted him off the dueling field.
Lastly, Hamilton was not hit in the chest. He was hit in the abdomen with the ball penetrating his liver and lodging in his lower spine. It was a mortal wound, but Hamilton was carried back across the Hudson to the home of a friend where he hung on for another painful 20 hours or so.
Burr was charged with murder in both New York and New Jersey. He simply went back to Washington D.C. to serve out the rest of his term as V.P. since there were no extradition laws at the time. The murder charges were eventually dropped by the two states.
I happen to be lucky enough to own one of these beautiful Hamilton--Burr dueling sets, so I've probably done more research on them than most.
I think we should go back to the Codes Duello. It would certainly clean up the nasty rhetoric and lies. I find it strange that Dueling would have ended Monroe and Hamilton's political careers considering Andrew Jackson was elected President despite having been engaged in more than 100 duels. He was shot multiple times but only killed one man.
As prominent as Hamilton was, he was actually too much like Burr as a troubled character. The lack of willing trust and respect for both of them stands out in the writings of the more rational, major leaders of the time, almost irrespective of affiliation. They had some deeply rooted problems and the story in this video is just one symptomatic aspect of those. The media have always, by their nature, been profoundly more interested in sensationalism than exacting truthfulness--nothing has changed there--and that complicated and exacerbated the many troubles of Hamilton and Burr all the more.
I was born in Hudson County… we get it; Weehawken is a dangerous place. 😂
Wow. No Hamilton musical references. That's a first
It's not American History but I would love to see your take on the Ferrari and Lamborghini rivalry. Like the Aaron Burr story, it has a lot of plot twists
Only mistakes I see in this video is the showing of some of the pistols because the percussion cap pistols were NOT around during this time period..
Hamilton was an amazing book - didn’t see the play. Another great book was the one about George Washington - his excellency. A slave owner, but he was President number one.
See the musical
Do it
If not, I will have to challenge you to a duel
Watch yourself sir, you made a finger gun. UA-cam is going to demonitize this one next.
excellent snippet! and extra +1 for brief cat appearance.
His name is Pookie.
1:31 🐱:) Great video as usual!
I have a Browning Mountain Rifle with that sort of trigger methodology. First time I fired it, guess what? It went off prematurely and the ball missed the target high! Fortunately, my target was an empty milk jug and not another musketeer. I've had the same sort of thing happen with T/C Patriot pistols, which are percussion target pistols. Very accurate... I have a one-hole three shot group target on display, but the same thing can happen with those before you become used to the light pull weight.
I guess that even back in the day an honest politician was a rare bird!
Dale Raby My ancient Kentucky squirrel rifle had a set trigger screw which I lost. I’ve been thinking about getting another. Hope it has the same threads as a modern screw. Who know but I might have won the turkey I came in second by 1/32” to modern reproductions had I been able to “set” the trigger.
Any kin to VW type 4 and 911 guru Jake Raby?
If it was made in England or the US, it will have English system threads, regardless of age. Now, what condition they might be in is another question. Hardware store should be able to help you get something compatible, though you may end up having to cut it to length and/or reduce the size of the screw head. You can do all this with a mill file.
So far as I am aware, I have no relative named Jake, but likely we are all related in some way. Our family made the mistake of backing Mary Queen of Scots. Didn't work out so well and we came to America, from what I gather, mostly as bond servants. I had relatives in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas. Had relatives fighting on both sides of the Civil War, or so I am told, and supposedly am related to Jesse James the outlaw through the Howard family. You can choose your friends but not your relatives!
I believe the CZ centerfire rifles all have set trigger which can also be activated by pushing the trigger forward.
Burr should have taken Hamilton's high shot as a signal that he was backing out of the dual and shoot high as well. By striking true and killing Hamilton, Burr proved himself a man without honor.
A man without honor could not be entrusted with the public good.
I’ve seen at least 100 of your videos and this was my favorite by far
Very informative - I learned many things I did not know
Burr's legal council in that treason trial, Thomas Jefferson.
I say we bring back the duel. It might just bring back a bit of civility to politics.
You are confused. I think Jefferson was the President at the time and very much wanted Burr convicted. I forget who Burr's counsel was though.
"and he wrote it down right there, damn " - the Reynolds pamphlet
Hamilton couldn't keep it in his pants, causing all sorts of problems down the line in his political life. Can't help but thinking about ole Bubba (Bill Clinton).
“Everything’s legal in New Jersey.”