Circa 1810’s Baker Rifle

Here we have an exceedingly nice Baker Rifle in brilliant condition for its age.

The Baker Rifle is possibly one of the most famous firearms in the world due to its transforming the way war was fought, changing soldiers from parts of a war machine to individual long range killers. That and their pivotal role in the television show Sharpe’s Rifles has made them iconic among weapons used in the Napoleonic period.
The Baker Rifle is a muzzle loading flintlock rifled musket with a walnut stock, brass fittings and a steel lockplate and barrel. The rifle has a fixed sight and a side mounted bayonet lug. The rifle also has kept its ramrod and cleaning and maintenance tools in the case at the bottom of the stock.

This Baker Rifle appears to have been made by an ‘I Morris’ though the engraving on the lockplate has somewhat faded. The Morris family were gunsmiths that were active in Birmingham and the surrounding area in the early 19th century.

There is a replacement leather sling that has been aged and fitted for display purposes.

~ Dimensions ~

The barrel is 30.5 inches (77.5 cm) long.

The rifle is 47 inches (119 cm) long.

The rifle is 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) wide at the lockplate.

The rifle weighs 3.82 Kg.

~ Condition ~

The rifle is in a brilliant condition for its age. The wooden furniture has almost no cosmetic scuffs or marks and retains a good finish.

The steel has blackened and has some very minor pitting but is in good shape.

The bore is in wonderful condition with very clear and good condition rifling.

The action is in good shape with a solid spring, will go to half and fill cock and fire nicely.

Some small sections of patina on the brass.

ref. GS7375F2A / MLIOOO