Pistol

Title:

Dragoon Pistol

Object Name:

Pistol

Creator:

Tower of London Armory

Date:

1730-1760

Material:

brass, steel, wood (walnut)

Dimensions:

H-4.75 L-21 Dia-7 inches
Barrel: 12.000"
Lock Plate: 5.375" x 1.000"
Sideplate: 5.000"
Trigger guard: 6.750"

Description:

Dragoon pistol with 12" barrel and a rounded grip and a brass butt knob. Lockplate is stamped with "Tower" and "GR" (Georgius Rex) underneath the image of a crown. Next to the stamp is the image of a broad arrow under a crown. On top of the barrel are stamped several different proof marks, including two crowns, an arrow, and GR. On the backside is a steel 9.375" belt loop which is long and runs along the barrel. At the base of the clip is the stamp of a crown with the number 6 underneath. The triggerguard is brass. The hammer holds a leather strap and a piece of flint. On top of the pistol a screw holds the metal barrel to the tang. Beside the screw is a stamp of the royal crown with "4" underneath it. Wooden ramrod is held in place by a single brass ramrod pipe.

Provenance:

The longer overall and barrel length of this weapon indicates that it is an early English dragoon pistol; however, some of the features, such as the brass butt cap, are from a later "Light-Dragoon" pistol.

The word "dragoon" originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time, and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional light cavalry units and personnel. Dragoon regiments were established in most European armies during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Towards the end of 1776 George Washington realized the need for a mounted branch of the military. In January 1777 four regiments of light dragoons were raised. Short term enlistments were abandoned and the Dragoons joined for three years, or "the war". They participated in most of the major engagements of the war, including the Battles of White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Saratoga, Cowpens, and Monmouth, as well as the Yorktown campaign.

Two units of British cavalry (dragoons) fought in America during the Revoultion: The Queen's Lancers, and the 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons.

Subjects:

War, Weapons, Armament, American Revolution, Cavalry, Dragoons

Place of Origin:

England

Collection Name:

Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire

Item Number:

1990.015

Accession Number:

1990.015

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the American Independence Museum

Credit Line:

Loan of William Goodwin Renwick

Participating Organization:

American Independence Museum