Lot Essay
For an account of the Board of Ordnance alteration of Baker rifles for fitting a socket bayonet see De Witt Bailey, British Military Flintlock Rifles 1740-1840, Rhode Island, 2002, pp. 129-131
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EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Details
A RARE .650 CALIBRE FLINTLOCK PATTERN 1800/15 ORDNANCE BAKER INFANTRY RIFLE
Early 19th Century
With russet barrel rifled with seven grooves, block back-sight with single hinged leaf, iron blade fore-sight and bayonet lug on the underside, plain flat bevelled lock stamped 'GR' crowned, struck with a crowned broad arrow mark beneath the pan, and the tail of the lock engraved at the terminal and inscribed 'Tower', walnut three-quarter stock (bruised) with fore-end of unslit pattern, bearing both stoekeeper's and stocker's stamps, and inspection stamps at the rear of the trigger-guard and in the ramrod-channel, brass escutcheon (replaced) and later brass escutcheons for the barrel bolts, regulation brass mounts, retaining its ramrod of the correct pattern, and complete with socket bayonet, also correct (some surface pitting, the butt-trap altered internally, sling swivels missing), Ordnance proof marks
30 1/8in (76.5cm) barrel (2)
Early 19th Century
With russet barrel rifled with seven grooves, block back-sight with single hinged leaf, iron blade fore-sight and bayonet lug on the underside, plain flat bevelled lock stamped 'GR' crowned, struck with a crowned broad arrow mark beneath the pan, and the tail of the lock engraved at the terminal and inscribed 'Tower', walnut three-quarter stock (bruised) with fore-end of unslit pattern, bearing both stoekeeper's and stocker's stamps, and inspection stamps at the rear of the trigger-guard and in the ramrod-channel, brass escutcheon (replaced) and later brass escutcheons for the barrel bolts, regulation brass mounts, retaining its ramrod of the correct pattern, and complete with socket bayonet, also correct (some surface pitting, the butt-trap altered internally, sling swivels missing), Ordnance proof marks
30 1/8in (76.5cm) barrel (2)
Special notice
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