Original British Napoleonic P-1796 Light Dragoon Flintlock Pistol Marked to the 16th 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 16th 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 8 3/4″ barrel in .65″ caliber pistol smooth bore, 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 “Lock Viewer’s” marking under the powder pan. The barrel bears a faint CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS proof markings for manufacture in Birmingham, England. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

The Walnut wood stock is in very good shape with a lovely brown color, showing light wear, with the expected light denting from use. There are lots of different markings stamped into the wood, making this a real treasure trove of research information. There is a crack running part way into the wrist from the rear, and another from the lock plate forward to the ramrod pipe. The stock is also cracked under the muzzle of the barrel due to the wood shrinking over the centuries. There is a very nice wooden ramrod under the barrel, though it may be a working life replacement.

The Barrel is engraved on the top with 16 – L – D’S, for the 16th (or The Queen’s) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, a well-known regiment that took part in the Battle of Waterloo.

The regiment was raised as the second of the new regiments of light dragoons in 1759, as the 16th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, also known as Burgoyne’s Light Horse. In 1766 they were renamed after Queen Charlotte as the 2nd (or The Queen’s) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, the number being an attempt to create a new numbering system for the light dragoon regiments. However, the old system was quickly reestablished, with the regiment returning as the 16th (The Queen’s) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons in 1769.

Shortly after its establishment the regiment saw combat in February 1761 against French forces garrisoning Belle Île. During the subsequent eight months the 16th Light Dragoons served as part of a British force campaigning against the Spanish.

The 16th Light Dragoons arrived in New York in September, 1776. They were involved in fighting at Brandywine, Paoli, and Monmouth Court House. The regiment returned to Britain in December, 1778.

During 1793-96 the 16th Light Dragoons served in the Low Countries during the early stages of the French Revolutionary Wars, distinguishing itself at the Battle of Beaumont. In Spain and France between 1809 and 1814 the regiment suffered 309 casualties in a series of separate encounters.

At Waterloo the regiment charged with Vandeleur’s Cavalry Brigade and suffered heavy casualties. This included Lt. Colonel JAMES HAY, who was so badly wounded that he
could not be moved from the Battle field for EIGHT DAYS! He recovered and went on to live until 1854.

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

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1800
Caliber: .65″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 15 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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