December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
The first rifle corps serving with the British Army in the 1790s were raised from foreigners, such as Hompesch’s Chasseurs, although other corps were raised in Britain, the first being Ramsay’s York Rangers. They both served in the West Indies expedition, including the St. Domingo campaign and were later merged into the 60th Foot (“Royal American Regiment”). The arms for such troops were also obtained from foreign sources until the Baker rifle began production in 1800--principally captured jaeger rifles from the Batavian Republic (Netherlands). This example of a Batavian military jaeger rifle of the pre-1798 configuration and appears to have been refurbished in England following its capture. The original lock has been replaced with an Ordnance flat carbine pattern. The 28 ¾ inch, octagonal barrel of 0.56 bore has been re-proofed and bears Ordnance private view marks on the left near the breech, while there is a storekeeper’s stamp on the right cheek of the butt, signifying that it was taken into government use. There is light to moderate pitting to the barrel and lock overall and the arm shows sign of heavy usage during the period; the vent of the barrel has been rebushed and the original iron pan of the lock replaced with one of brass. However, examination of the barrel interior with a bore scope indicates no sign of reconversion, so it is most likely that these were done by a unit armorer to refurbish a heavily-used rifle that needed to be kept in service. A rifle of the same pattern, also modified with a British carbine lock, is illustrated and discussed in Dewitt Bailey's "British Military Flintlock Rifles" (2002), p. 191.