This is an original rare to find British Enfield Tower Pattern 1756 / 81 Land Service .650 Carbine Calibre Flintlock Heavy Dragoon Pistol. A previous owner commissioned the Royal Armouries at Leeds to refurbish the Walnut stock of this pistol and as would be expected the stock of this pistol is now in near mint condition (see page 134 of British Cavalry Carbines & Pistols Of The Napoleonic Era by Chisnall & Davies). The pistol has regulation brass fittings, including trigger guard with extended tang, ram rod flutes, stock plate & cudgel butt. It has a heavy military cock fitted with flint & wood ram rod with brass end cap. The pistol measures 19” overall with a 11 ¾” round steel barrel. The barrel has Georgian proofs. The smooth bore has staining and residue consistent with age and use,. The action works crisply. The lock plate is signed by the maker ‘Edge’ (Most Likely Richard of Wednesbury Staffordshire, a gunmaker recorded as working in 1757, see page 95 of English Gunmakers by Bailey & Nie) above ‘1760’ date. The lock plate also has Kings Crown GR (George Rex) together with ordnance inspection mark. The top of the barrel is inscribed ‘K.D Guards’ to the King’s Dragoon Guards Regiment (The King’s Dragoon Guards Regiment was formed in 1685 as The Queen’s Regiment of Horse, named in honour of Queen Mary, consort of King James II. It was renamed The King’s Own Regiment of Horse in 1714 in honour of George I. The regiment attained the title 1st The King’s Dragoon Guards in 1751. The Dragoon Guards served as shock troops during the battle of Waterloo 1815). The price for this excellent rare to find Napoleonic wars era flintlock to a Regiment that fought at the battle of Waterloo and worthy of further research regarding the maker includes UK delivery. NB As an antique flintlock pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn Sn 23484:57
£2,450.00