GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FINE F. T. BAKER SIX BORE TWO GROOVE PERCUSSION RIFLE WITH MOULD. F.T. BAKER PERC RIFLE 739 6 BORE (ca 1860) Cal. 6 bore. (.938 Bore diameter, Two groove, groove diameter 1.00). 32" Slightly swamped octagon nicely patterned Damascus bbl is fitted with under rib with two plain pipes holding heavy ebony and brass ramrod, with worm under cap on tail. Rear pipe has large sling eye. Top flat of bbl is fitted with one standing, three folding nested leaf rear sight, having platinum lines and marked for 50, 150, 200, and 300 yards. Steel barleycorn front sight is also dovetailed through. Top flat is engraved "Frederic T. Baker. London". Bottom flat is stamped with London black powder proofs for 6 bore, and with SN and makers name. Patent breech with platinum vented blow-out is case hardened, and top flat is finely scroll engraved. SN is on hook. Breech iron with integral fence has exceptionally well cut open shaded scroll engraving surrounding vignette of tiger. Lock with tall flat faced serpentine hammer, having dolphin head, is also scroll engraved, and has gold inlaid flaming urn motif at rear of hammer, and well done scene of a pair of hounds worrying a boar in front. Top of lock is engraved "F. T. Baker". Trigger plate fitted with checkered set trigger has long extension in form of a Corinthian column topped by another gold flaming urn. Scroll engraved trigger guard has recumbent lion on bow, and SN at tang, which extends to large steel grip cap. Lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip stock measures 14-1/4" to checkered steel buttplate with long top spur in form of column and gold urn, matching trigger plate. Stock features shadow line ogee molded right hand cheekpiece, flat top point pattern checkering at grip and forend, and a large steel patchbox on right side with spring-hinged cover engraved with naive scene of tiger taking down wild boar. Forend tip is of scroll engraved steel. Thimble is nicely filed blue steel, and stock mounts to bbl with single captive side nail through engraved oval steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/2", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8". Weight: 11 lbs. 14 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Rifle is accompanied by large (12") steel single cavity mould marked "C. Lancaster 151 New Bond Street" which casts a conical winged projectile .870 in diameter at base, and .980 across wings, which should be ideal for this rifle when using a greased leather or linen patch. PROVENANCE: Correspondence regarding sale of this gun in 1986. CONDITION: Fine, with some restoration. Bbl retains 50 - 60% of what appears to be orig brown, with pleasing definition to pattern, silvered from normal hand wear on sharp edges, and with some fairly deep marks and scratches, mostly toward breech end. Lock and other metal parts retain traces of orig case hardening color where protected, but are mostly mottled silver gray to brown. Stock retains most of an old oil refinish with numerous subsequent marks, some dents and scratches, checkering lightly worn. Stock has broken through lock area and been repaired. A 2-1/2" x 1" dutchman has been let in above rear of lock up to tang of breech iron. Bore is very fine, shiny and smooth, except for some light pitting toward muzzle, which is cleaned bright at end. Lock is crisp. Set trigger works. Mould has considerable brown patina with much bright polish showing through. Cavity is brown. A really neat big bore rifle by this maker highly regarded during his lifetime. 49958-33 MGM61 (5,000-8,000)