Bridgewater Light Dragoon Pistol

Description:

Physical Description:

This .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock Light Dragoon Pistol was made in Bridgewater, Ma and used by a New England militia unit.

The lockplate is stamped “BRIDGWATER” and “US” under an eagle. It is stamped “21STL.DS” on the barrel. The left side of the stock has a “V” and “39”.

History:

The actual maker of this pistol is unknown. It is like many other Light Dragoons pistols from the time. Its weight is what signifies it as a dragoon and would have been used for a militia unit. The make though cannot be determined because the only identifying mark is the location “BRIDGWATER” and “21STL.DS”. These markings give a location and a militia unit, but there were many gun smiths in Bridgewater, Ma at the time this pistol would have been made.

References:

Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.

Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 112.