Original British Napoleonic P-1796 Light Dragoon Flintlock Pistol Marked to the 11th Light Dragoons - Waterloo Participant

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a lovely P-1796 Light Dragoon flintlock pistol, the standard pistol in use during most of the Napoleonic wars. This pistol definitely dates to prior the Battle of Waterloo, and the 11th Light Dragoons did take part in the great battle that finally defeated Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815, so it might just have been there!

It comes with a standard 9" barrel in .65" caliber pistol smooth bore (worn out to about .67-.68"), with an overall length of 15 1/2 inches. It has all brass mounts of butt cap, trigger guard side plate and nose cap. The Lock Plate is marked (CROWN) / G.R. under the pan, with TOWER across the tail. There is also the standard CROWN / DOWNWARD ARROW "Lock Viewer's" marking under the powder pan. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing only at full. We did notice that it has a ring necked cock, introduced around 1809 as it was stronger than the older "swan neck" design.

The barrel is marked with two CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS markings, for Pre-1813 inspection at the Ordnance Proof house on Tower Wharf close to the Tower of London. Of interest is that this mark was usually only used on "private" arms, not military issued examples, however it is always possible that the barrel needed to be replaced, or that private made barrels were acquired to fit the large need during the war years.

The Walnut wood stock is in great shape with a lovely brown color, showing light wear and a few cracks and repairs around the nose area. There are also some cracks and repairs around the edge of the lock plate, as we often see. It has a lovely color and varnished finish that presents beautifully. There are also some markings stamped into the stock, which may be of interest. There is a very nice brass fitted wooden ramrod under the barrel, which we believe to be original.

The Barrel is engraved XI L · D's, for the 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons a well-known regiment that took part in the Batter of Waterloo.

The Regiment was first raised in 1715 as Colonel Phillip Honeywood's Regiment of Dragoons. In 1751 it was re-titled as 11th Regiment of Dragoons and in 1788 as the 11TH. REGIMENT OF LIGHT DRAGOONS. During the Napoleonic Wars he Regiment served at the Battle of BADAJOZ in April 1812 and the Battle of SALAMANCA in July 1812 in the Peninsula War. At The Battle of WATERLOO on June 18th 1815 it took part in the Great Charge of the Union Brigade against the French, under the command of LT.COL. James Wallace Sleigh.

Apparently due to an incident during the Peninsular campaign, a certain incident near a cherry orchard may have led to the units nick name, The Cherry Pickers. Later after being redesignated the 11TH (PRINCE ALBERT'S OWN) HUSSARS, they were under the command of the notable EARL OF CARDIGAN, who liked to refer to them as "HIS CHERRY BUMS" due to the nickname and their red trousers. Unfortunately he would then lead them in the disastrous CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE during the Crimean war. Well worth further research.

A very nice British Martial pistol that possibly saw action at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Ready to display

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1809
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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