A fine and rare Napoleonic era British military Baker Flintlock rifle circa 1800-1815. Calibre approx .69. The Lock-plate engraved "Tower" and crown "GR". Typical brass trigger guard, side-plate, ramrod pipes, patch box and brass butt-plate. Iron ramrod. The 30.5 inch barrel marked with a British proof mark at the breech and fitted with a bayonet lug. Fitted with an iron saddle bar and two iron sling swivels. It was the first standard-issue, British-made rifle officially accepted by the British armed forces. The Baker rifle was first produced around 1800 by Ezekiel Baker, he was a master gunsmith from Whitechapel, London. British rifle regiments were issued with the Baker rifle during the Napoleonic Wars and they were used in Canada during the War of 1812. Baker rifles were also supposedly carried by Mexican soldiers at the Battle of the Alamo. 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 an 8 inch 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 this range. Probably the most famous shot fired from a Baker rifle during the Napoleonic wars was by Rifleman Thomas Plunkett of the 1st battalion 95th rifle regiment, lying on his back with the sling of his Rifle wrapped around his foot, took careful aim and shot the French Cavalry General Colbert in the head at well over 300 yards and then after reloading also shot the French Trumpeter who dashed over to check on the General with a head shot also. Overall length 46 inches. The rifle is in very good original condition overall with a few minor dings and scratches. The ramrod is a replacement. Good heavy rifling but bore very dirty with some pitting. These rare rifles are becoming extremely difficult to find especially in good condition. Ref 4209.

The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 between the French Army led by Napoleon Bonaparte and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington for Great Britain, & Marshal Blücher of Germany. The decisive battle of its age, it concluded the Napoleonic wars that had raged for 23 years, it ended all French attempts to dominate Europe, and destroyed Napoleon's imperial power forever.

This is an obsolete antique rifle and is sold as a collectors item only.
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