Dragon (firearm)

A dragon is a shortened version of blunderbuss, a firearm with a short, large caliber barrel which is flared at the muzzle and frequently throughout the entire bore.^[1]^[2] Dragons were typically issued to dragoon cavalry, who needed a lightweight, easily handled firearm to use while mounted.^[3]

^ Sibbald Mike Lier (1868). The British Army: Its Origin, Progress, and Equipment. Cassell, Petter, Galpin. pp. 33, 302–304.
^ George Elliot Voyle, G. de Saint-Clair-Stevenson (1876). A Military Dictionary. W. Clowes & Sons. pp. 43, 114.
^ Charles Francis Hoban (1853). Pennsylvania Archives., page 324, from a letter dated March 7, 1778

[scott-1] Sibbald Mike Lier (1868). The British Army: Its Origin, Progress, and Equipment. Cassell, Petter, Galpin. pp. 33, 302–304.

[mildict-2] George Elliot Voyle, G. de Saint-Clair-Stevenson (1876). A Military Dictionary. W. Clowes & Sons. pp. 43, 114.

[pennarchives-3] Charles Francis Hoban (1853). Pennsylvania Archives., page 324, from a letter dated March 7, 1778

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