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

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 .70″), 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 / BROAD ARROW “Lock Viewer’s” marking under the powder pan. The barrel is marked with the correct CROWN / GR / BROAD ARROW along with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS of Thomas Ketland of St Catherine St, Weaman Row Birmingham, who worked 1766 to 1810. This was later adopted as the mark of the Birmingham Proofhouse. There is also a faint marking that could be the subcontractor’s initials. The lock is functional, however it does not hold correctly at half cock due to tumbler wear.

The Walnut wood stock is in great shape with a lovely brown color, showing light wear and a few cracks and repairs around the ramrod channel on the fore stock area. It has a lovely color and varnished finish that presents beautifully. There is a very nice wooden ramrod under the barrel, though it may be a working life replacement.

The Barrel is engraved 11 · L · D S, for the 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons a well-known regiment that took part in the Batter of Waterloo. It is additionally marked with 11-L Ds / I / 31, the company and number of the dragoon that carried it.

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 1800
Caliber: .65″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 inches
Overall Length: 15.5 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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