Original Item: Only One Available. This is a superb and rare Napoleonic Dutch Model 1815 Light Cavalry Flintlock Pistol, manufactured by Guillaume Berleur of Liège. The barrel tang is dated 1815, the final year of the Napoleonic Wars, and bears additional numerical markings along with a unit marking “D 52” on the brass butt cap.

The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) engulfed Europe for over a decade, shaping military technology and weapon craftsmanship across the continent. Arms such as this pistol are classic examples of that era’s elegant yet practical martial design—often carried by mounted cavalry and officers. Captured or reissued pistols were common during the conflict, adding further depth to each weapon’s story.

This pistol is brass-mounted throughout, with a beautifully aged patina that perfectly complements its historical appearance. The walnut stock shows period wear and small areas of loss consistent with genuine field use, but remains structurally sound and displays wonderfully. The flintlock mechanism functions but does not properly hold at half-cock due to age-related wear on the tumbler.

Overall length approximately 15 1/5 inches.

A wonderful and completely original Napoleonic-era flintlock pistol from the Netherlands, made by a known Liège gunsmith and dated the very year the wars concluded. An outstanding historical display piece and research opportunity for collectors of European military firearms.

The Dutch Model 1815 Light Cavalry Flintlock Pistol was produced during a pivotal moment in European history, at the close of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1815, following Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, the newly unified Kingdom of the Netherlands found itself in need of modernized weaponry for its reorganized army. The region of Liège, then part of the Netherlands and already one of Europe’s foremost centers of gunmaking, supplied a large portion of these arms. Skilled Liège gunsmiths, including Guillaume Berleur, manufactured flintlock pistols for Dutch service under government contracts. These pistols were typically marked with the date “1815” on the barrel tang and often carried additional serial or unit markings, such as “D 52” on the butt cap, indicating regimental assignment.

The Model 1815 represented the last generation of large-bore military flintlock pistols used by Dutch cavalry before the adoption of percussion ignition. They were issued primarily to light cavalry and dragoon units, though similar examples were also used in naval and colonial service. The pistols feature brass furniture throughout—including the butt cap, trigger guard, and fore-end cap—which was both decorative and corrosion-resistant. A walnut stock with a robust grip and simple raised apron around the barrel tang gave the weapon a practical yet elegant profile. Most examples measure approximately 15 inches in overall length with a 9-inch barrel and a caliber of about .65–.69 (17 mm). The design did not include a fixed ramrod, as cavalrymen typically carried it separately in a belt frog.

Mechanically, the lock is of traditional flint ignition type, with a reinforced cock and simple sear system. Many surviving examples today remain functional, though due to wear it is common for the tumbler not to hold at half-cock. The pistols are often found with a deep, warm patina on the brass fittings and visible field wear to the stock, testament to active service rather than ceremonial use. Proof marks and inspection stamps vary—some bear Liège proof marks (an “E / L / G” in an oval), while others show Dutch crown-over-letter arsenal marks or “CROWN / DN” associated with the Delft armory.

Historically, the Model 1815 sits at the end of the flintlock era and the beginning of modern military standardization. Its manufacture coincided with the Dutch reorganization following Napoleon’s downfall and the re-establishment of national institutions, including the army. Collectors prize these pistols not only for their craftsmanship but also for their association with the post-Waterloo period and the broader European transition from flintlock to percussion firearms. Authentic examples—especially those dated 1815 and bearing identifiable regimental marks—offer an exceptional window into the material culture of the Napoleonic and early restoration period.

For further research, reference works such as B. J. Martens and G. de Vries, Dutch Firearms: Army, Navy and Colonial Forces 1813–1866 (pp. 62–65) provide detailed technical descriptions and historical context for the Model 1815 pistol and its variants. Surviving examples can also be compared through major antique arms dealers and museum collections, many of which confirm the same pattern of Liège manufacture, Dutch inspection, and brass-mounted construction.

In short, the Dutch Model 1815 Light Cavalry Flintlock Pistol embodies the transitional phase between Napoleonic and early modern European military arms—a tangible artifact from a turbulent period, blending Liège craftsmanship with Dutch military tradition, and offering collectors a rich field for study and appreciation.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1815
Caliber: 0.68"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Overall Length: 15 1/4 inches
Barrel Length: 8 1/4 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.