Original British Flintlock P-1756/81 Land Service Pistol Marked to 3rd Dragoon Guards Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is the “Classic” 18th Century British Dragoon Pistol, used throughout the 1700’s in a series of slightly differing forms. Really first introduced in 1715 by FREEMAN, it evolved into the Land Pattern of 1742, followed by the 1756 which became the 1756/81. This style features a 12″ .65 bore barrel, and remained in front line service until the 1796 10″ barrel Dragoon Pistol was introduced. One easy way to distinguish the two is the “spurs” or “ears” on the butt cap, which were done away with in the 1796 pattern.

Our example has the correct length 12″ barrel in 65 bore, and is full stocked with all brass fittings, including its correct long-spurred Butt Cap. The Lock is marked with a CROWN over G.R. and TOWER across the tail, and also bears an Inspector’s mark. The iron barrel retains a faint engraving of:-

3D D. GDS

indicating it was in service with the 3rd Dragoon (Prince of Wales’s) Guards. The barrel shows the British Proof Markings and the pistol comes complete with a brass tipped ram rod.

In really nice cleaned condition this is ready to Display.

History of the 3rd Dragoon Guards:

The regiment was first raised by Thomas Hickman-Windsor, 1st Earl of Plymouth as the Earl of Plymouth’s Regiment of Horse in 1685 as part of the response to the Monmouth Rebellion, by the regimenting of various independent troops, and was ranked as the 4th Regiment of Horse. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Schellenberg in July 1704, the Battle of Blenheim in August 1704, the Battle of Ramillies in May 1706, the Battle of Oudenarde in July 1708 and the Battle of Malplaquet in September 1709 during the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1746 it was ranked as the 3rd Dragoon Guards, and formally titled in 1751 as the 3rd Regiment of Dragoon Guards.

Shortly thereafter, in 1765, it took the title 3rd (Prince of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards, for the future George IV.

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: circa 1780-1790
Caliber: .65″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Overall Length: 20 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.