Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a lovely Privately Purchased P-1796 Light Dragoon pistol, the standard pistol in use during most of the Napoleonic wars. This pistol dates to prior the Battle of Waterloo, and is marked to the 12th Light Dragoons, later known as the 12th Royal Lancers. This Regiment of Light Dragoons/Lancers were raised in 1715 by Brigadier General PHINEAS BOWLES and became the 12th Regiment of Dragoons in 1751. In 1768, King George III bestowed the badge of the three ostrich feathers and the motto "Ich Dien" on the regiment and re-titled it as the 12th (Prince of Wales's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons.
Under this name it took part in the French Revolutionary War in 1794 followed by the Egyptian Campaign of 1801 and joined Wellington in in 1811 in the Peninsular Campaign under the Command of Colonel FREDERICK PONSONBY. It took part in the Battle of Waterloo and joined SIR JOHN VANDERLEUR's Brigade, which charged with the UNION Brigade, commanded by the Col.'s 2nd Cousin Maj. Gen. WILLIAM PONSONBY, who was killed during the action. Frederick was also grievously wounded and left on the field for some time, but in spite of his wounds survived, suddenly passing away in 1837 at the age of 53. There is a good chance that this pistol was carried by a dragoon during the Napoleonic wars, and possibly on the field at Waterloo itself!
The pistol is a standard full stocked flintlock pistol which conforms mostly to the P-1796 standard, used by British Dragoons across the empire. However, it was made without a butt cap, and also is fitted with a very nice belt hook on the left side. The lock plate is only marked WARRANTED, indicating it was a privately purchased item, most likely for an officer, who were responsible for obtaining their own arms. A belt hook would be very useful for attaching the pistol to a belt, or to the tack of the officer's mount. The barrel bears the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof and" CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" markings for manufacture in Birmingham, England. The top of the barrel is marked 12 - L-DS, for the 12th Light Dragoons. The brass trigger guard is marked P / H * C / 9, most likely a unit marking. Definitely some nice research potential here!
The ramrod is of iron, and is stowed under the 9 1/4 inch long .67" caliber barrel. The stock is in very good condition, with a beautiful color, looking to have been lightly varnished at some point after its service life was over. It shows some lovely figuring in the grip area. The lock is in good shape and functional, holding properly at half cock, and firing at full.
A highly desirable Privately Purchased Flintlock Light Dragoon Belt Pistol from the Napoleonic Wars, ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1800
Caliber: .67" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 15 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
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- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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