Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptionally well preserved example of the scarce British Pattern 1738 Land Service Heavy Dragoon flintlock pistol, dated 1742 and signed IORDAN for Thomas Jordan. Built for British mounted service, the pistol retains the long 12" barrel, early banana shaped lock, single screw behind the swan neck cock, rounded brass military furniture, original brass tipped wooden ramrod, and extensive Ordnance inspection markings expected of an early government arm. Dating more than a decade before the Seven Years War, this is the type of British cavalry pistol that remained in service through the great mid 18th century conflicts and into the Revolutionary era.

A remarkably similar 1742 dated British Pattern 1738 Land Service Heavy Dragoon pistol was sold by Rock Island Auction Company in 2019 and realized $21,850. That example provides an excellent comparison for the rarity, configuration, and collector interest of this early British cavalry pistol. Please see this link for the listing: British Pattern 1738 Land Service Flintlock Pistol.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Pattern 1738 Land Service pistol was issued for mounted service and is commonly associated with Britain's Heavy Dragoon regiments. These substantial horse pistols were normally carried in pairs in saddle holsters and combined a large smoothbore barrel, robust military lock, full walnut stock, and heavy brass furniture intended to withstand hard cavalry service. Surviving examples are considerably less common than later British Land Service pistols, particularly when they retain an early dated lock and so many correct period features.

This example measures approximately 19 3/8" overall and is fitted with a 12" round smoothbore barrel of approximately .63 caliber.

The early lock has the strongly curved or "banana" profile associated with the Pattern 1738. It uses the early arrangement with only a single visible screw behind the swan neck cock. The pan is fitted with a frizzen bridle, representing the strengthened arrangement used on British military locks of the period.

The tail of the lock is prominently marked:

IORDAN
1742

The use of the initial I in place of J is consistent with period spelling conventions and identifies the name Jordan. It is recorded that Thomas Jordan was a gunmaker who produced arms for the British Ordnance from 1733 until 1762. It's known that he marked his locks with his name spelled either with an I or J in Jordan, with the "I" being the "Latinized" version popular at the time. He is believed to have worked out of Birmingham, but some sources list him as being based in London.

At the center of the lock is the royal cypher of King George II:

CROWN
G R

Beneath the pan is the government lock viewer's mark:

CROWN
DOWNWARD BROAD ARROW

These markings identify the lock as a British Ordnance inspected military component rather than a purely commercial sporting lock.

The breech of the barrel carries further government inspection and proof marks, including:

CROWN
GR
DOWNWARD BROAD ARROW

above:

CROWN
CROSSED SCEPTERS

These are early British Ordnance view and proof markings indicating Pre-1813 military inspection at the Ordnance Proof house on Tower Wharf, close to the Tower of London, appropriate for a government service arm of this date. An additional CROWN is present at the rear of the barrel tang.

The left side stock panel is additionally marked above the side plate finial:

2 4

We have not identified the meaning of this marking and therefore leave it unattributed.

Inside the ramrod channel is the Roman numeral setup mark:

VIII

Assembly or setup marks of this type were used during manufacture to keep fitted components together during the production process.

The pistol retains the proper brass military furniture, including the raised and rounded side plate, full stirrup pommel cap with long ears extending into the stock, rounded trigger guard with its shaped forward finial, two ramrod pipes, and the brass wrist escutcheon.

The walnut stock has the graceful early British military profile expected of the Pattern 1738. Raised molded panels surround the lock and side plate and terminate in carved tear drop forms. The carved apron surrounding the barrel tang flows into the upper edges of the side panels and likewise terminates in a tear drop. The fore stock also retains the characteristic swell around the point where the ramrod enters the stock.

Especially desirable is the surviving original wooden ramrod with brass tip, a component frequently lost or replaced on pistols of this age.

Overall condition is very good. The brass mounts have developed a pleasing golden patina, while the barrel and lock remain relatively bright with scattered peppery oxidation staining across the surfaces. There is light evidence of old powder residue related corrosion around the barrel adjacent to the lock, entirely consistent with service use of a flintlock pistol.

The lock remains mechanically functional during manual inspection. It holds correctly at half cock and releases from full cock. These observations describe only its present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the pistol is safe to load or fire.

The relief carved walnut stock is likewise in very good condition and displays an attractive red brown color. It shows the expected small dents, dings, scratches, and handling marks accumulated over nearly three centuries, but we did not observe major cracks, structural repairs, or other significant damage.

With its clearly dated 1742 IORDAN lock, George II royal cypher, early Ordnance proof and viewer's marks, banana shaped Pattern 1738 lock, long eared brass pommel, relief carved walnut stock, setup marking, and surviving original brass tipped ramrod, this is an unusually complete and visually impressive British Heavy Dragoon pistol. Its early date places it before the Seven Years War, while the pattern itself belongs directly to the generation of British cavalry arms that served through the French and Indian War period and remained relevant into the American Revolutionary era. It would be a significant addition to an advanced British martial arms collection, a cavalry weapons display, or a collection focused on early Georgian military firearms.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1742
Maker: Thomas Jordan
Model: Pattern 1738 Land Service Heavy Dragoon Pistol
Bore Diameter: .63" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 12 inches
Overall Length: 19 3/8 inches
Action: Side-Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.