A Fine and Scarce British 1756 / 1781 Land Service Pattern Heavy Dragoon Pistol
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Price: £4,150
Ref: 52070808
Item Description
A Rare 28-Bore Flintlock 1756 / 1781 Land Service Pattern Heavy Dragoon Pistol. This pattern was the final version in the sequence of British Land Service pistols. The pistol was produced mainly for British service in the latter stages of the American Revolutionary War (American War of Independence) 1775 to 1783, as a less refined version of the 1756 pattern dragoon pistol. The pistol utilised the 1777 rounded pistol lock and a more simplified shape to the stock dispensing with some of the moulding found on the 1756.
The rounded lock and cock are border engraved with a double line. The crowned ‘GR’ is stamped on the lock face in front of the cock, with the Ordnance ownership / inspection stamp to its right underneath the pan, and ‘TOWER’ is stamped across the tail.
The round tapering 12 inch (30.5 cm) barrel is stamped with Tower Ordnance Kings Proof Marks in the middle at the breech, together with a touch hole inspection mark of a number 4 beneath a crown, and a crown inspection mark is stamped at the tang.
The pistol is mounted with a full walnut stock with a swollen and moulded fore-end and carved with an apron around the tang. A worn Storekeeper’s mark is stamped between the lockplate tail and the escutcheon. The brass mounts are of regulation type. The trigger guard is stamped with a crown inspection mark on the inside. The brass butt cap typically has long spurs and the tapering ram rod, original but damaged and repaired, is held in two brass tubes and tipped with brass. Inspection marks are stamped inside the ramrod channel. The convex brass side plate is of 1756 type with the stocker’s mark “IS” stamped behind the tail. The wrist escutcheon is plain.
For two further examples of this pistol type see Geoff Davies, Barry Chisnall & Clive Brook: “British Ordnance Single Shot Pistols”, Maine Military, 2019, pages 2-25 and 2-26, and for a description of the pistol type see pages 2-5 and 2-6.
The condition is fine and the action is crisp and firm. There is a small working life repair to one side of the fore end at the muzzle. The pistol has never been invasively cleaned and retains its consistent dull and mottled patination overall.
