16th or the Queen’s Light Dragoons, an Officer’s 16 Bore Flintlock Pistol by Prosser, Charing Cross with Inscription to Cornet William Beckwith, the tapering sighted russet barrel with signed stepped bolted lock (upper portion of the cock missing), figured walnut full stock, the butt carved with a bold pattern of pineapple chequering, engraved steel trigger guard, steel stirrup ramrod. The stock mounted with brass plaques engraved ‘Cornet W. M. Beckwith 16th Lt Dragoons, Waterloo 1815’ and ‘William Beckwith 16th Light Dragoons Jany. 7th 1813 to Nov.r 20th 1817 14th Light Dragoons Novr. 20th 1817 to Feby. 23rd 1871’, the barrel with slight surface pitting and one small crack to the forward stock area otherwise good overall condition £2000-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals and Artefacts.

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Note: William Beckwith was born in 1795, the eldest son of William Beckwith of Trimdon, Co. Durham. He was purchased a cornetcy in 16th Light Dragoons in 1813 and served with his regiment in the last years of the Peninsular War, seeing action at the battles of Nivelle and Nive, 1813. He was next in action at the battle of Waterloo, 1815, and in December that year was promoted lieutenant, without purchase, in 16th Light Dragoons. On the post-Waterloo reduction of his regiment, Beckwith went onto Half Pay but exchanged from that status to become a lieutenant in 14th Light Dragoons in 1817, purchasing his promotion to captain in 1822 and to major in 1828. In 1821 he married the heiress Priscilla Maria Hopper of Silksworth House, Co. Durham, but there was no issue of the marriage. In 1831 Beckwith distinguished himself when in command of a squadron of 14th Light Dragoons in Aid Of The Civil Power during the suppression of the ‘Reform’ riots in Bristol; he was created a Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order (KH) in consequence of this service. Beckwith retired onto the Unattached Half Pay Infantry list with the rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1833 and, through a combination of longevity and seniority, progressed to the ranks of colonel (1846), major general (1854), lieutenant-general (1861) and general (1869). He was appointed colonel of 14th (King’s) Hussars in 1860 and died in 1871.