A very fine British 1756 Land Pattern Dragoon Service Flintlock Pistol by WILETS dated 1761 on the Lockplate

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Price: £6,250

Ref: 42082095

Item Description

The British 1756 Pattern Heavy Dragoon Pistol was a response to demand from the army for better quality weapons compared to previous patterns of pistol and musket. The 1756 Dragoon replaced the 1738 pattern. Other than a noticeable improvement in overall quality the only feature to markedly change was the lockplate in that the earlier banana shaped lock was dispensed with in favor of a newer style which was still of rounded form but with a straighter base.

The issue of the 1756 Dragoon coincided with the outbreak of the Seven Years War in Europe (1756 to 1763). Simultaneously this conflict also spread to North America where it is referred to as the French and Indian War fought between the dominant colonial powers of Britain and France. The 1756 Dragoon would undoubtedly have been very welcome by the British in both  theatres.

This pistol is in unusually fine condition with the usual Ordnance stamps, inspection and storekeepers’ marks clearly visible.  The round tapering 0.66 inch bore 12 inch barrel is stamped with Tower Ordnance Proof Marks at the breech. The tang is stamped twice with crown inspection marks.

In 1756 Dragoon was usually made in .56 inch pistol bore. However, the carbine bore of 0.66 inch persisted in some instances until stocks ran out. It is probable therefore that this pistol dates to the early period of production which is supported by the date on the lockplate.

The double line border engraved rounded lock is slightly curved along its base and stamped with a crowned “GR” in front of the cock and with an Ordnance ownership / inspection mark beneath the bridled pan. The lockplate tail is signed by the maker “WILETS” alongside the date 1761. Wilets was a number of Ordnance contractors who made these pistols and signed their work on the lockplate tails. The practice was abandoned in 1764 from when locks were stamped “TOWER” on the tails.

The pistol is mounted with a full walnut stock with a swollen and moulded fore-end and carved with an apron around the tang. Ordnance inspection marks are stamped on the stock behind the trigger guard on the lock side. The stocker’s initials “JC” are stamped on the reverse side to the right of the side plate. The Georgian storekeeper’s stamp is clearly visible above the lockplate tail. The ramrod gully is marked with inspection marks and the letters “JB” followed by “VI”.

The furniture is of brass and the trigger guard is stamped with a crown inspection mark on the inside. The brass butt cap is of typical “long-eared” form and the ram rod is tipped with brass. The brass side plate is of convex form. The wrist escutcheon is plain.

For further examples of this pistol type see Geoff Davies, Barry Chisnall & Clive Brook “British Ordnance Single Shot Pistols”, Maine Military, 2019, pages 2-5, 2-6, 2-23 & 2-24. A copy of this publication is available with the sale of this pistol.

The overall length is 19.5 inches