Can anybody identify this flintlock pistol?
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Cowboybebop
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British Light Dragoon Pistol. Standard .69-caliber light dragoon pistol with Tower lock 1786 model.
... but the brass and varnish doesn't look quite right. I'd suspect a reproduction, but the screws would be the kicker.
... but the brass and varnish doesn't look quite right. I'd suspect a reproduction, but the screws would be the kicker.
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Dmitri Popov
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Is there a makers cartouche anywhere?
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Cowboybebop
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The only markings are shown in the photos - there are some proof marks (I think) on the barrel, and on the side of the receiver there is a crown and "Tower". As far as I can see that is it.... no serial number or anything. Did older guns not have serials?
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Cowboybebop
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I mentioned the "Dragoon" name to a friend of mine and he seemed to think they were not made by Tower, but by a company called "Ketland".
I found a picture recently of a gun that looks similar also made by "Tower" which is labeled as a "Tower Sea Service Pistol", but the markings are slightly different with a "GH" under the crown marking.
Really interested in the history of this piece. Never had an old gun before and I can now see the appeal.
I found a picture recently of a gun that looks similar also made by "Tower" which is labeled as a "Tower Sea Service Pistol", but the markings are slightly different with a "GH" under the crown marking.
Really interested in the history of this piece. Never had an old gun before and I can now see the appeal.
Dmitri Popov
Member
Try backing out a screw. Also what does the rifling look like? Any markings on the barrel? If so can we have close up pics?
The "Tower" (of London) was at that time was the Headquarters of the Board of Ordnance as well as the major repository of arms for the British service. Guns were not actually made there. The practice, in an effort to improve interchangeability, was to have parts made by contractors, who then brought the parts in an unfinished state to the Tower where, if they were found acceptable, they were marked with acceptance stamps or engraved markings, and fitted and assembled by Tower (government) workers into complete guns.
The crown on those lockplates, as well as the word "Tower" were hand engraved. (Later, after about 1809, they were stamped, but that is beside the point here.)
The markings on that gun appear to be hand engraved, and the age seems right for an original. In short, it may have some discrepancies, but none are obvious to me.
Jim
The crown on those lockplates, as well as the word "Tower" were hand engraved. (Later, after about 1809, they were stamped, but that is beside the point here.)
The markings on that gun appear to be hand engraved, and the age seems right for an original. In short, it may have some discrepancies, but none are obvious to me.
Jim
Skirmisher 263
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The very first thing to do is verify that it is not loaded. Use the ramrod to compare barrel length inside and outside.
Curator
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Dr. Rob has pretty much nailed it. Comparing other British flintlock pistols also called "dragoon" shows several versions of the same basic pistol, only different manufacturers. The "proof" marks on the barrel look authentic. Someone gave the gun an overzealous cleaning, possibly refinishing.
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