December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
A Pattern 1805 Ordnance production Baker rifle in its original flintlock configuration and not altered back from the 1815 adaptation for socket bayonet, as with most that are found today. It features a leaf-sighted, hook-breeched, 30 ¼ in. L barrel of 0.625 caliber with bayonet-bar on the right side at the muzzle and rifled with seven grooves (rifling still strong), sighted fore-end, and Ordnance view and proof marks on left side of barrel near breech. Flat beveled, border-engraved lock with crowned GR and inspection mark before the cock and under pan, with 'TOWER' across the tail. Walnut full stock with cheekpiece, regulation brass mounts including spur trigger-guard, hinged patch-box cover, vacant brass escutcheon and stock maker’s marks behind brass sideplate, still retaining original sling swivels and pierced ramrod bearing “DAWES” maker’s mark and issue numbers “X/72” engraved just below the button-head. The tang of the brass butt-plate shows evidence of purposeful filing off of unit markings, but enough still remains to identify it as one of the rifles issued to the famed Rifle Brigade during the Napoleonic Wars: “[?] 2 {BN?] 95TH”. Its Type 2 issue sword bayonet has a single-edged, 23 in. L blade with 5 in. false edge towards the point, regulation brass hilt with side-guard, quillon and knuckle-guard all in one piece, and ribbed grip with sprung button-catch, crown/19 inspection mark on right face of blade, with maker’s name, ‘DAWES/BIRMM” stamped on the spine near ricasso. A very fine example of the service pattern Baker in original flint, although most of the original barrel browning has been lost and the stock in very good condition, barring the expected dings, scratches and bumps of minor nature.