Original British Napoleonic 2nd German Light Dragoons New Land Pattern Flintlock Pistol – Circa 1812 Original Items

Original Item: One Only. We often overlook that the British Kings of the 1700s were not English at all but were from the German State of Hanover, starting with King George I in 1714. He was followed by George II until 1760 and then the famous King George III of American Revolutionary war fame. King George III lived right through the Napoleonic Wars which ended in 1815 subsequently passed away in 1820. Consequently the British army was full of Germans and German Regiments, probably best remembered as the The King’s German Legion,  a British Army unit of mostly expatriate German personnel during the period 1803–16. The Legion achieved the distinction of being the only German force to fight without interruption against the French during the Napoleonic Wars.

Here is a British Light Dragoon Pistol marked to the 2. G.L.D. or Second German Light Dragoons with F/16 denoting “F” Company, 16th man.

The Kings German Legion fought at WATERLOO in 1815.

The Newland Flintlock pistol was an improvement on the earlier straightforward 9″ barrel Dragoon Pistol of the turn of the 18th century, in that it was fitted with a “captured” swivel ramrod which attached the ramrod to the barrel and therefore could not be dropped while reloading while mounted on a horse. Later this version was improved with the addition of a safety catch behind the flintlock cock. Our pistol marked with CROWN over G.R. and TOWER on the lock dates to approximately 1812 so there is every chance it saw service in the closing battles against Napoleon including WATERLOO.

In really fine condition, faintly stamped B.O. on the wood stock for Board of Ordnance, complete with all brass mounts, ready to display. Weapons showing markings to German Regiments in the British Army are encountered very seldom. There is a repaired crack on the grip, and another near the rear lock screw.

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