Land Service / Heavy dragoon
A "land service pistol" is typically regarded as synonymous with a "heavy dragoon" pistol, especially in the context of historical firearms.
The term "land service" specifically denotes a type of heavy dragoon pistol utilized by cavalry units on land rather than at sea, making the two terms largely interchangeable.
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Historical usage: Both terms refer to a large, powerful pistol historically employed by cavalry troops on land.
Specific model: "land service pistol" often points to a particular model, such as the "Pattern 1738 Land Service Pistol," which is also to as a "Heavy Dragoon" pistol.
Although the terms are technically different, they are commonly used interchangeably in historical discussions about cavalry pistols.
Drawing inspiration from Prussian designs, this Dragoon pistol was widely used by Britain's mounted forces during the 18th Century. With the introduction of the Light Dragoon pistol in the 1760s, this model became associated primarily with the Heavy Dragoons. Nevertheless, it was likely available at the onset of the American Revolution and probably saw action on both sides during the conflict.
The true claim to fame of this elegant pistol predates its later uses. During the War of the Austrian Succession (King George's War), British Dragoon regiments, including the Royal Dragoons, King's Dragoons, and Royal Scots Greys, participated in the Battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy. At the victory in Dettingen, the Dragoons famously fired a volley from their pistols to halt a charge by French cavalry.
The defeats at Roucoux in 1746 and Lauffeld in 1747 could have resulted in disaster without the valiant efforts of the British cavalry, who successfully held off the French while the army made its retreat. In the Jacobite Rebellions, following setbacks at the Battles of Prestonpans and Falkirk, the Dragoons played a crucial role at the Battle of Culloden by charging both flanks of the Highland army.
