, 1883-09-01
OLD WEAPONS.


One OF the great historical events OF
the opening of the present century, vas
| the duel between Aaron Burr and Alex
under Hamilton, which occurred on July
ii, 1904, at Wehawken. Hsrail,on was
wounded at the FIRE and died on the fol-
lowing day. Yesterday, more than sew
enty-nine years after the tragic event, a
DemOcrdt and Chronicle reporter ascer-
tanned the fact that the weapons used On
that memorable occasion, are in the pos
session OF a citizen of Rochester. Fer
more than fifty years they were in the
possession of descendant of Hamilton,
who gave them to tine mother OF the pres
ent possessor, also descendant Of Ham
ilton. Naturally the owner OF these sin
lister relics, much as he values them, has
given the fact Of their possession very lit
tie publicity. That the reporter should
be curious to see those ancient weapons
goes almost without saying. In appear
ance they are very formidable. They
are 'horse pistols" OF English manufac-
ture, and are exactly alike, so far as an
ordinary observer can discover The one
from which Burr fired tie fatal missile, is
marked by cross filed under the loser
part Of the barrel. They do not in any
respect resemble any modern arm. In
handling them one is strongly impressed
with the idea that they were evidently in-
tended for Use in duels where the partic-
ipants "shot to kill, and not to obtain
newspaper notoriety without the disagree
able shedding Of blood. Although they
evidently could not he manipulated SO
rapidly as the modern double-acting, self
cooking pistol; they are capable OF fatal
execution, as trey carry q bullet Of fifty
six caii6er They are sixteen inches long
and are in reality, small guns rather than
pistols The barrels appear to be OF the
best steel then manufactured, and the
weapons throughout are heavily mounted
with brass. They are very carefully fin
ished in all their parts, and we're evident
ly very expensive. 4 curious feature If
these pistols, unknown to the present
gereration, bu: remembered by sCme of
the older leaders who have handled their
grandfathers' mushets, is the hint-locks.
These, v it'll their fin;s III position, are
intact. 1t seems almost Incredible to-
day, in view of the advance of everything
pertaining TO gunnery, that men should
risk their lives on the spark from the
flint and steel Ii is evident,
h0Eever, from an examination OF
these weapons, that the hsnts
we're cut with TIE precision Of the face
OF diamond, aud it is probable that
there was as little likelihood OF their mss
ing fire as there would be with the most
finished cartridge weapon of the present
day. The pistols are '1sigh;ed" with a
view to the purpose for which they were
made, and in the hands OF q man wi,h
steady nerve and strong arm, would prove
very dangerous weapon. Placed beside
one of these heavy dreling weapons, an
ordinary revolver appeared dwarfed into
a toy pistol, and one OF its cartridges was
almost lost when dropped INTO its capa-
cious muzZle. Aside from the great his
torical interest attached TO the weapons,
this comparison OF the most perfect weap-
on OF to-day with that Of eighty years ago,
doubtless the most perfect OF that day,
was startling. The interval marks the
transition and growth of weapons OF ie-
tense, from the clumsy mechanics OF flint
and steel and powder ana ball To The
weapon which is capable Of being dis
charged six times in as many seconds,
and reloaded in few additional seconds.
The increase in certainty OF ann and power
OF execution is not, however, SO obvious
The pistols are in remarkable state OF
preservation, and are apparently IN as
good condition as when used for the last
time that fatal morning Oil the banks OF
the Hudson, having been carefully pre-
served and cared for daring these seventy
nine wears. Such in brief, is description
OF these interesting relies, the mementoes
OF great tragedy, which had much TO do
with the mnlding the political events of
the century in the Gnited States.
Very few. and those only family friends,
have been aware of the existence OF these
reminders Of the dark tragedy in the TAM
ily, and it is only with much reluctance
that the possessor permits any present
reference to them reluctance wEich IS
easily appreciated. 1t is the intention OF
the owner to always keep them IN the
possession Of his family, and never alio"
them 10 be publicly exhibited Rochester
y. Y. Democrdt, J,Fy ;Jh.