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The Rifle Shoppe |
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The British Baker RifleIn the late 1790's the British started testing rifles and different rifling, trying to find one pattern to adopt, where as to eliminate the supply problems with all foreign rifles they were using at that time. Ezekiel Baker's rifling was adopted February 4, 1800. Ezekiel was asked to supply various pattern rifles in .62 and .69 caliber. The .62 caliber rifle was adopted, and in September 1800 orders were being placed to various makers and manufacturing of the Baker Rifle continued until 1838. Many of the rifles were sent to Portuguese, Spanish and Canadian governments, they were even issued to the Kings German Legion. In April 1801 the 95th Rifle Regiment received their baptism of fire on board Nelson's Squadron off Copenhagen. This rifle was used in almost every war in the world in its time, all the way to the Kaffir War in 1851. It was also used against the United States in 1812 and by the Mexicans at the Alamo in 1836 and again in the Mexican wars. The Rifle regiments were considered light troops and England used them to their fullest advantage to take on the brunt of the Napoleonic War to buy time for her allies to recover and they always distinguished themselves. It was and still is one of the most efficient and best handling Military Flint rifles ever used by any country. There are many different variations of the Baker Rifle made up for volunteer units. You will find early and late locks mixed on Bakers with early and late patchboxes. Many Baker Rifles had slit stocks, this is a slot in the forearm 1/16" to 3/32" cut from the ramrod entry hole all the way to the trigger guard to allow mud and debris to be pushed out of the ramrod hole. Captain Barber of the Duke of Cumberland Sharpshooters wrote in 1804 that a third class marksman should be able to put 5 out of 6 balls in a 8"circle at 100 yards, a second class marksman must be able to do the same at 200 yards, and a first class marksman must be able to do the same at 300 yards, but he could use a rest at his range. We now have most all the variations of the Baker Rifles and accessories available. Every piece we copy is from an original weapon, which allows you to restore an original or build a completely new weapon. We are grateful to the late Kit Ravenshear, De Witt Bailey, Pierre Cayla, and Al Wegler for all the time and wonderful help with the project. There are many British Rifle reenactment groups starting up now call us for information. We offer the two most common pattern British Baker Rifles as standard production, but we will produce any variation that was made including the Mexican, Portuguese and Volunteer variations. Please call, write, or e-mail if you are interested in these variations. 714: Type I, Baker Rifle with Flat Faced LockThis is the most common pattern Baker Rifle encountered with the rectangular patchbox and new land pattern lock, with the reinforced cock, and the tumbler with a fly. It 1s equipped with a 30 1/4" barrel which was rifled in .62 caliber. The stock had a 14 1/8" pull. This is the most well designed Baker Rifle for military use. It has a slightly beefy walnut stock with a fuller butt, and the 2 compartment patch box. 501: Type II, Baker Rifle with Round Faced LockThis type Baker Rifle started appearing about mid-production with the idea of simplifying production. The patchbox became smaller with rounded end and just a single compartment inside. The lock is a return to the early carbine pattern which was now easier to produce. The walnut stock was slightly slimmer in overall proportions. It has a pull of 13 3/4" It is also equipped with a 30 1/4" Barrel rifled in .62 caliber. PricesWe offer these two British Baker rifles completely finished, sighted in and ready to shoot at $1,995.00. We only require a minimum deposit of 50% on all finished Rifles and Muskets before we start and the remaining balance before we ship. The delivery on standard rifles is 6 months. We also offer a complete set of parts for you to assemble your on British Baker Rifle. The price of the complete set of parts is $899.00. This includes a complete set of hardware castings with an assembled and harden lock, screws, preshaped and preinletted stock with forearm completely shaped, rifled .62 caliber barrel, and ramrod. The following options are available at an additional cost: Substitute standard English Walnut on Stock - $50 Fancy English or American Walnut - $150 to $200 Original Browning of Barrel - $95 Original Pattern Sword Bayonet - $185 Original Pattern Cleaning Kit - $20 Original Pattern Takedown Tool - $20 Original Pattern Powder Horn Base and Spout Castings (Horn Not Included) - $53.80 Original Pattern Powder Horn Base and Spout Finished (Horn Not Included) - $75 British Baker Rifle Blueprint - $9.95 |
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