May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
According to page 122 of "British Military Flintlock Rifles" by DeWitt Bailey, Ph. D, the successful competitor for the new Pattern 1803 rifled cavalry carbine was the designer of the current infantry rifle, Ezekiel Baker. He made a trial rifle with a barrel of 20 inches and tried it before the Committee of Field Officers in 1800 at Woolrich. He competed with other makers such as Henry Nock there and won. In Ezekiel Baker's book, he then writes that he "mounted it as a Pattern for the Tenth Regiment of Light Dragoons, under the command of His late Majesty George IV when Prince of Whales." This is possibly that rifle, especially due to the distinct maker's markings on lock and barrel. This example has a browned Damascus barrel with brass front sight and elevated notched rear sight. The left side of breech is stamped with Birmingham proofs and top of barrel is inscribed "E. BAKER" in block letters. The casehardened lock features a waterproof pan, roller-frizzen, and a sliding lock tang safety to hold at half-cock. The center is engraved with "E. BAKER", just below the "E" is a threaded knob to adjust spring tension, presumably. The brass furniture is identical to that of the Pattern 1803. The iron saddle bar's rear finial is more graceful on this example than the standard Pattern. Walnut stock with original iron swivel ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains about 95% Damascus finish. Lock retains visible case colors, mostly silvers or darkened. Brass retains a light mustard patina. Stock shows scattered scratches and bruises. Series of scratches at bottom on both sides of buttstock. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration and functions perfectly. Markings excellent throughout. A very interesting cavalry carbine in wonderful condition. DMG