Original Excellent British Napoleonic New Land Pattern Tower Flintlock Pistol marked to the Queen’s Own Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry – circa 1810 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. After Britain was drawn into the French Revolutionary Wars, Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger proposed on 14 March 1794 that the counties should form a force of Volunteer Yeoman Cavalry (Yeomanry) that could be called on by the King to defend the country against invasion or by the Lord Lieutenant to subdue any civil disorder within the county. Two regiments were raised in Yorkshire, England, one meeting at West Riding and a second meeting at Doncaster. The units were then partly dismantled at the end of the French Revolutionary wars. However, the Peace of Amiens was short lived, and the threat of revolution was quickly supplanted by the threat of invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte leading to continual war up until 1815.

This excellent flintlock Pistol dates to prior the Battle of Waterloo, and is a standard full stocked flintlock pistol fitted with the NEW LAND PATTERN Swivel all steel “captured” ramrod. Introduced in 1808, this allowed a Cavalryman to easily reload the pistol while on horseback without fear of dropping his ramrod. This is really a fantastic example, which shows very little signs of use when compared to most flintlocks we see from this era. On the trigger guard there is an excellent regimental marking, which reads:

Q.O.R
Y.C
555

This would stand for the Queen’s Own Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry. The largest County Yeomanry was in South Yorkshire with over 1500 members by 1810. The 555 is for an individual person and we suspect this is from that organization. In 1810 Command was given to JAMES STUART-WORETLEY, later to become LORD WHARNCLIFFE, who held the position for 35 years.

The lock is marked with Crown over G.R. and TOWER on the lock plate tail, with the CROWN / BROAD ARROW “Lock Viewer’s” mark under the pan. In fine tight and all original condition showing British Proof marks. It is fitted with the standard 9″ .69″ smooth bore barrel, which still shows visible proofs on the breech end, a rare thing to see. From what we can see, they are the CROWN / GR royal proof and the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS proof for manufacture in Birmingham, England by Ketland, which in 1813 became the proof mark for all of Birmingham produced guns. The lock functions well, holding at half cock and firing at full. The captured ramrod works as well.

Condition is really just excellent, with a lovely finish to the wood and a mellow patina on the metalwork. There are some pressure dents and other signs of use, but no major damage or repairs that we can see. There are the expected stress cracks near the lock and other metal fittings.

A truly AMAZING example of a Yeomanry issued New Land Pattern pistol, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1810
Caliber: .69″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 inches
Overall Length: 15 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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