A Regimentally Marked New Land Pattern Flintlock Pistol.Of regulation specifications, with round barrel stamped with Tower proof and viewing marks, flat lock stamped with GR beneath a crown and TOWER across the tail, walnut full-stock impressed with inspection marks and store keepers marks, some cracks and splits commensurate with age, plain brass mounts comprising of side plate, butt cap, trigger guard stamped ‘XLD H 25’ and original stirrup ramrod. 

XLD - 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wale’s Own). 

In 1783, King George III ordered the regiment to switch from dragoons to light dragoons. He renamed it after his eldest son, the Prince of Wales (the future George IV), who became its colonel in 1796.

Impressed by the colourful uniforms of the European hussars, the Prince of Wales renamed, re-clothed and re-equipped the regiment as Britain’s first ever hussar unit in 1806. He remained its colonel until his coronation in 1820.

During the French Revolutionary War (1793-1802), detachments of the regiment fought in the West Indies (1794), Holland (1799) and Egypt (1801).

In 1808, the regiment set sail for the Peninsular War, where it was used to screen Sir John Moore’s retreat to Corunna (1809). During that operation, it captured 100 French cavalry on Christmas Day. It also fought at Benavente, where Private Grisdall captured General Lefebvre-Desnoettes, the French cavalry’s commander-in-chief.

It was evacuated with the rest of the army in January 1809. It only returned to the Peninsula in 1813, fighting at Morales and Vitoria that same year, before advancing into France where it served at Orthes and Toulouse in 1814.

It fought in the Waterloo campaign of 1815, where one of its patrols brought the Duke of Wellington news of the Prussian retreat at Wavre. It then joined the Army of Occupation in Paris for a year.

Dimensions:

Bore: 16 Bore

Barrel Length: 9 Inches (22.86 cm)

Total Length: 15.5 Inches (39.37 cm)