Gun - Dragoon Pattern Military Flintlock Pistol

Move your pointing device over the image to zoom to detail. If using a mouse click on the image to toggle zoom.
When in zoom mode use + or - keys to adjust level of image zoom.

Date:1800

Description:Light Dragoon pattern, flintlock military pistol, c.1800.

This pistol is characterized by the 'short-eared' brass butt cap, and brass furniture, including the 'flattened S' shaped sideplate on the left side of the stock as well as the nine inch barrel of 17 bore, no fore-end cap and a wooden ramrod with a brass tip.

It is a late pattern pistol, modified from the earlier style, by the use of a flat lockplate and a flat, ring-necked cock. It immediately preceded the New Land Pattern pistol introduced in 1805 and shared some design characteristics with the latter.

This specimen is interesting, because although conforming to government pattern, it bears, on the barrel, the private proof marks of the gunmaker's company (The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers- the traditional Guild of the London gun trade). Although the lock is of standard military pattern and bears the Royal crown superimposed over 'GR', it is not stamped with the tower mark on the tale of the lockplate, nor the inspector's mark which should be stamped below the flashpan. The walnut stock does not bear the 'BO' over a broad arrow mark (Board of Ordnance), nor any storekeeper's marks.

Together with the private proof marks, all of the above indicates that the pistol was never government issue and was purchased privately for military use, perhaps by a junior officer or possibly a member of the militia or fencibles or more likely for private security guards, watchmen, coachmen bank-guards or the crew of a merchant ship. Coincidentally the finial of the frizzen spring is pointed like the Sea Service pattern, instead of rounded like the Land Pattern. Under the wartime conditions many large contractors sub-contracted work to smaller lower quality makers and at the time, large numbers of cheaply made weapons were rejected by the tower inspectors and were subsequently sold on the open market. This pistol is probably one of these. The pistol is complete and in working order and the ramrod is almost certainly original.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1400s
Gothic Wooden Church Tracery
Gothic Wooden Church Tracery

This is a piece of Gothic wooden church tracery, dating from the 15th century. The ...

1650s
The Antiquities of Warwickshire
The Antiquities of Warwickshire

This is a hard-backed book containing historical information and descriptions of ...

1700s
Dental Key
Dental Key

An iron or steel dental key used to extract teeth. It has a straight shaft with ...

1790s
Sword - Sabre
Sword - Sabre

A curved flat blade sword in a metal scabbard. The blade is wider before the tip ...

1810s
Gun - Percussion Shotgun
Gun - Percussion Shotgun

Muzzle-loading, percussion shotgun converted from the original flintlock ignition. ...

1830s
Practical Dissertation on the Waters of Leamington Spa
Practical Dissertation on the Waters of Leamington Spa

This is a third edition paper back book from 1831 contained within a box. The book ...

1840s
Trophy Cup won by Lord Strathmore
Trophy Cup won by Lord Strathmore

An ornate silver-gilt tankard trophy decorated with foliage and horses in relief ...

1860s
Liberal Party Election Poster
Liberal Party Election Poster

An election poster from Leamington Spa for the Liberal party, 1867.

1880s
Regulations for Leamington Priors Cemetry
Regulations for Leamington Priors Cemetry

A booklet with a green cover and black printing. It details the regulations for ...

1900s
Bayonet - Turkish Sword Bayonet
Bayonet - Turkish Sword Bayonet

A double-sided long bayonet with a narrow blade which widens towards the tip. There ...

1920s
The Economics of Baths and Washhouses Design
The Economics of Baths and Washhouses Design

A booklet promoting the benefits of providing baths and washhouses for the general ...

1940s
Second World War Poster
Second World War Poster

A colour poster from London. It warns citizens to be prepared for war. There is ...

1950s
Street Light
Street Light

Black and white photograph by Mr W G Gibbons150mm x 200mmAn arch mounted pre-electric ...

1970s
English Commemorative Medal - Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee
English Commemorative Medal - Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee

A silver medal to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's silver jubilee. The Queen is depicted ...

1990s
Womens' World Bowls Badge
Womens' World Bowls Badge

A souvenir pin badge for Womens' World Bowls 1996, held in Leamington Spa, 1995-1996....

Share:


Donor ref: LEAMG : M4012.1993 (71/21795)

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.