There is no doubt that the TV series was far more instrumental than the books in reaching the public, but all the credit needs to go to BC for the books in the first place....
The books are amazing I wonder how the show would be if they remade it with a bigger budget No doubt It wouldn’t get a lot of views sadly But We lads would Be happy would we not? But That was some odd years ago The show/movies is good as it is now
I recently contacted Pedersoli Firearms and they informed me that they have purchased an original Baker rifle for examination and measurement purposes. They definitely are planning to have one available ASAP. They indicated that they would like it to be ready for production by 2024 but could not guarantee that at this time. I will try to keep you posted on this story as it develops.
My parents bought an original Baker rifle for me in 1976 for making the honor roll. It cost a whole $175 US. I have both shot it and hunted with it during the last 44 years. I have never seen another one.
@@stevenbaker8184 I bought the parts kits for the .62 Baker from the Rifle Shoppe about 25 years ago. It came with a sand-cast lock, furniture, bayonet mount, sights - everything except the walnut stock and the barrel. Getz had the the dimensions for the Baker carbine barrel and it arrived fairly quickly. I turned everything over to a highly-competent blackpowder gunsmith. He polished the parts, tempered the frizzen and the main spring, and assembled the gun. Perfectly. All parts were cast from authentic Baker Rifles. Total cost for everything, including the sword bayonet and labor, was about $1200US (c. 1995). Won a couple of local matches with that rifle, even with the less-than-stellar copy of the original leaf sights.
My go-to for guns in general are small gun stores. They tend to still have at least a small rack of old guns usually sourced from local collectors who got the guns when they were far less rare, so they tend to be in good shape. Might have to go through several places but it is amazing how many of the guns that sell for a fortune on Gunbroker and only last for days before they get snapped up are just sitting in these small shops gathering some dust. Just don't expect these gun stores to all have nice websites listing their full stock; you gonna need to either show up in person or hope they are willing to tell you what they got over the phone.
A few years ago, a friend of our family's Dad passed away. During the house clear out, they found a Lee Metford in the loft, wrapped up in blankets. Absolutely no idea where he got it from as he wasn't old enough to have had it issued - but it was just 'there'. It was declared and the Police had to collect it (as nobody present had a dealing licence!) but they do sometimes turn up in odd places. This was in the UK.
Rather like the fellow in the original (and by far the better) True Grit, shooting a turkey with a Sharps carbine...ain't gone' be much of that bird left t'cook.
Don't forget to credit C S Forester's Rifleman Dodd from the novel "Death to the French". I read that novel long before Cornwell's chippy hero grumbled his way into the world.
Ah, the things we do for our historic hobbies. I have to admit that you, sir, have far surpassed me in my insanity, but the results are well worth it, and the pride you show is fully justified. Thanks for the video.
I should like you to know that this videos and many others on your channel relating to the 95th rifles have inspired me greatly to do my own research into the fascinating subject and even secure a few pieces of kit for myself, including my very own baker rifle (albeit inert... for now) . Please do keep producing wonderful content like this, and I hope it inspires many others too. Much love and respect from the UK! 🇬🇧
I have an unfinished Kentucky Long rifle. First one turned out okay and became a gift to my father-in -law. We haven't had any time at all for hobby projects at our machine and welding shop this year and gratefully so. We'll go back to "playing" projects agian when it slows down eventually. Wood stocks are my favorite as it's different than my 9-5 work. 🤷♂️
I’ve really enjoyed all the pieces about the Rifled Baker Rifle, so much so that I’ve just commissioned one to be made, now for the 18 month wait! Also, it will be my first black powder rifle 👍🏻 Thank you, great videos, I will be supporting 😊
Thats a hell of a first muzzleloader.... Just know that you cannot delay one second on cleaning it when finished... EVER. Black powder is an unforgiving whore. ONE missed or delayed cleaning will rust your new rifle without a doubt.
I love flint locks I've always wanted a brown bess or kentucky long rifle but I love this video on this rifle I knew nothing about. Thank you very much
I have a Nepalese Brunswick which has a similar appearance to the Baker (hold them side by side and you will see some significant differences), but uses percussion caps. The barrel is a two groove and uses the weird winged balls. So, if you want something similar to a Baker right now, then check out IMA. You can get them with the sword bayonet, but they will be a project and also may not be suitable to fire. Just a warning before you dive in. The Rifle Shoppe sells parts for them also.
Very interesting subject. I was a member of the 2nd Btn 95th Rifle Regiment (re enactment group) and I purchased my Baker from a gun store near Leeds. My model baker was not a rifle even though everything on the weapon was the same as a rifle, but a smooth bore shotgun or musket, in order to make ownership easier due to UK firearms laws. With the black powder licence as well, ownership and storage was up to firearms standard, very tight and restricted.
My Rifle Shoppe Baker is done! I received it Sept 7 (8 months after ordering), and finished it in early Nov, I've only fired it once so far, windage was pretty good on the lower leaf, but about 8-10 inches high at 40M. I need to work up a good load before filing the sights. I'm thinking of making it my silhouette flintlock. I routinely shoot the muzzle loader silhouette match (50, 75 and 100 M) at Fairfax Rod and Gun Club in Northern Va. If you live within striking distance of Manassa Va. , and shoot any kind of muzzle loader check out Fairfax Rod and Gun Club and Bull Run Muzzle Loaders (BRML shoots at the Izzac Walton range in Manassas). Both hold monthly matches, open to the public. BRML is year around, FXRGC is seasonal. Both welcome any muzzle loader with iron sights, yes that means inlines too,. The BRML shoot is actually a muzzle loader day, you don't have to shoot the match, in which case any sights are OK. If you are a newbie its a chance to come and get any kind of help or advice you can imagine, both shoots are full of helpful, friendly and very experienced muzzle loader shooters. They are informal friendly matches and very open to anybody who wants to shoot muzzle loaders. As for the build experience I would say this was on the faster side, but had a new to me technical challenge, soldering the bayonet log. I have built 4 flintlocks (from kits) now, A 40 cal Virginia Rifle kit from. TVM, A . 58 Jeager with parts from Track of the Wolf, but local partially inletted stock from Dunlap Woodcrafts, a Brown Bess with old Nepalese metal from IMI, (the stock was a terrible fit) and the Baker from The Rifle Shop, (pre built lock). The Rifle Shoppe kit had the best fit (metal to wood) For me the challenges were fitting the barrel properly, fitting the trigger guard, as I think it warped when taken out of the mold, soldering on the bayonet lug, and cutting the powder relief in the breech plug. However as this was my fourth build I at least had a chance. The butt plate, lock and side plate were easy to finish compared to the other builds. The barrel fit was a bit of a dissapointment, cut too deep near the breach, and pretty high and a bit narrow and off center along the barrel. Fortunately I could remove enough wood (unequally) from the sides to center it up, so it wasn't wrong, just un finished (expected) and slightly off center (not really a problem as long as you are taking care) . I did end up glass bedding the breach and 6 inches or so of the barrel because the back of the barrel channel was too deep (not horrible, say half a mm or less). You always have to pay attention to those sorts of things when finishing one of these kits. I would say that over all a newbie to flint lock building would find this rifle pretty hard to build, and if you are a flintlock newbie as well your chances go further down. The main reason I built it so fast was no decorative carving. I'm not an experienced wood worker and certainly not especially artistic so all I do is copy from what other people have done, slowly. However the Baker has no carving or fancy inlays, which for me is the scary time consuming part of building a flintlock. (My Jager took over a year because I got to the carving point and it took several months to get my courage up to the point of possibly ruining a nice walnut stock). For the Baker build, the biggest non obvious to me thing I learned was to fit the breech block to the barrel and plug first (pretty obvious) , then temporally solder the breech block to the plug (didn't think of that) so as to fit the tang, block and barrel to the stock all at once just like a non hooked barrel, Thanks to Bill Raby for that tip on his current You Tube build series. Link to a photo of me and my Baker. www.dropbox.com/s/14h3b5tqnkhgbja/DEC_Baker.jpg?dl=0 PS If this is too much of a plug for shooting clubs, suppliers, or the photo link is out of bounds, I apologize in advance and understand if you feel the need to remove)
As someone who's been a viewer of your channel for years, and owning a couple of geese myself, I can't even state how hard I laughed at the "BLOODY GEESE" at the start there. Almost had tea coming out of my nose. Master of comedy as well as information, I love it!
Absolutely fantastic Rob. For some years now I have shot an 1853 Enfield in the UK. However, for a while I have been considering building a Baker from the Rifle Shoppe kit. The alchemy of flint lock appeals and my alternative was a Kentucky Long Rifle but the practicalities of rhe shorter weapon appeal. When I heard that TRS had stopped offering lock assembly, I spoke to a local clock maker who has offered to assemble the lock and seat the springs for a very reasonable fee. I am currently in correspondence with a barrel maker in England. Lockdown aside I hope to have the project completed by the summer of 2023.
excellent. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Some of your vids I have watched 5 or 6 times. Thank you. You even replied to me once regarding a question I had About the sharp's series And loading techniques Of the Brown bess.👍
Thank you for making this video. I'v been such a huge fan of the Sharpe series since I was little. And you've answered all my questions amazingly. Your period outfit during the filming was also a joy to see.
Sir . I Have just watched your video and found it very inspirational. I’m an Ex Soldier of The 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, A CHOSEN MAN. Great Video Thank you .
I very much enjoyed your Baker Rifle videos. Have you read the "Barber's Instructions" (1804) manual? It's very comprehensive in regards to training and tactical field maneuvers for British rifle-equipped light infantry. It also includes diagrams for small-unit movements in the field and the complete scores for all bugle calls. My facsimile copy was published by "Museum Restoration Service" Ottawa, Canada 1968. I bought it from Ken Trotman's store in the mid-90s.
I have not read it. There were a great many manuals and treatises on the subject and from that it would seem that resultantly, there were many minor variations and differences from author to author as the "new" world of LI tactics matured during the Napoleonic Wars... Cheers!
Tally Ho my good sir! great video, keep up the work, thank you for being so diligent in your RUclips videos. Every time I sit down to watch I can often find myself having a good laugh or learning a great deal about my ancestors. Cheers from Texas!
britishmuzzleloaders I have asked you a question on a previous video about markings on an SMLE. My other question would be if a rifle dated to 1908 would happen to have a set of volley sights? And another question would be if at all possible to find a proper replacement disc for the buttstock.
I ended up with three Rifle Shoppe replica builds, an 1800 pattern Baker Rifle, a "Lewis and Clark" M1803, and an M1816 common rifle. Workmanship is exemplary on all. Wanted to order a British M1776 rifle but was daunted by the prospect of yet another three-year wait. Today I don't know whether or not TRS still does builds of their own kits.
@@britishmuzzleloaders Having TRS do a build just about tripled the cost of the kit by itself. Browning a barrel takes two weeks! Each gun was shipped with a 100-yard test target with notes on the loads used. I didn't even have to do any sighting in!
I was enjoying this article when, what a surprise - my own Baker rifle popped up on the screen at 12:55! I was the lucky one who got my hands on this rifle from IMA and imported it back to the UK where I have it 'on ticket' and enjoy shooting it. It is made by the very designer of the British Infantry Rifle barrel, Ezekiel Baker, and I enjoy the thought that it was once held by the man himself. It is a private purchase rifle with no bayonet bar, but has seen action as evinced by a sabre cut near the breech - history you don't get with a reproduction. Although it comes at a price, it is likely to hold its value, so I would say an original is probably a better investment than a repro in the long run. Many thanks for your interesting and informative articles.
Today is the day I'm going to start the journey to one of my dream guns and call the rifle shoppe and order a Pattern 1776 kit from them and with DeWitt Bailey's book British military Flintlock rifles 1740 to 1840 as my source I plan to do an in-depth historical overlook video on it. That is when I get it and get it built
Well done Rob, as you were saying that hopefully a quality maker such as Pedersoli, can bring us this rifle. I am sure they watch your productions with much interest, and so they should. The Indian imports which I have a Brown Bess are wall hangars, or as you stated a reenactors kit gun for blank firing only. Love your channel and always look forward to the next production. Richard from Ontario.
I won a 1781 Brown Bess (after more research confirmed it's definitely a Brown Bess) from gunbroker last week and it's so cool. It was converted into a caplock at some point in the 1800s and has markings showing it was issued to the East India Company. Also has a bayonet made by John Gill, but I suspect it is not from this musket, fits way too loose. I'm not quite sure if it's safe to fire though, going to resell it to a collector where I know it will be safe. As it stands it will just gather dust on my wall, it's too tall for my humidity controlled gun safe.
I'm currently at 6 month's of waiting for the Rifle Shoppe to deliver on my Baker kit. Like you I knew before I ordered that they would be way late, I'm about ready to ring them up and see if I can shake it out. I see I'm not the only one waiting...
Oh yes... The Portuguese had the Baker rifle as well. They removed the rifling. Made it into a smooth bore... Removed the cheek rest section. And at times covered the patch box with a wood blank... Yes... I know... Us Portuguese are VERY different at times!!! So, I guess it would be REAL easy to get an Indian made Baker. And turn in into the "Portuguese Pattern"... Something to consider perhaps?
I saw an original rifled Portuguese Baker in Henry Krank's shop in Leeds a few yrs ago. I think it was about £5-6k. I was surprised at the price having seen auction pieces go for +£10k.
One would think with the popularity of the baker that a manufacture of replica arms such as Dixie gun works in the US, or Petersoli of Italy would have made one.
I'm a Snider guy thanks to your channel, but to the Baker goes the laurels. And if you're GONNA get a Baker, get a rifled one: a smoothbore I think lacks the original gun's magic. And well done with your Baker. A gun, or anything, you make yourself is truly yours.😉
I am SO late to the party! Only just recently started watching 'Sharpe'. Partly because when it was on TV, I was running round doing that sort of thing in real life as a member of the Royal Artillery (The Long Range Snipers, or 'Dropshorts). The Peninsular war is a horribly glaring gap in my knowledge of British History, and although it's a work of fiction, Sharpe is filling a few gaps and keeping me entertained. The Baker rifle seems to be a huge upgrade on the Brown Bess as far as accuracy is concerned, and it's also a lovely looking rifle compared to some others around during that era! The idea of getting my hands on one of the repro ones by 'Access Heritage' keeps springing into my head, not that I've got anywhere to play with it, IF I had an accident with a drill, and the touch hole magically opened up.....
It wasn't so much an "upgrade", as no other British unit carried it... an accessory perhaps. Lot's of Baker content on the Channel if you are interested.
@@britishmuzzleloaders Oh wow!! I really had no idea that it's use was as restricted as that! I knew that it wasn't the 'normal' issued firearm, but not so rare! Not for people who couldn't shoot, that's for sure! LOL. I'll have a look at your other content, sounds like it would be beneficial for educating myself! Thanks! :)
I just got my Baker Rifle from the Rifle Shoppe. It took a year for the parts, and was assembled by Larry Cruise, a gunsmith in Nebraska which took another couple of months. Total cost about 3K. The Rifle Shoppe no longer does the assembly. But after a long wait, I have a functioning .62 caliber rifle. Good thing I don't live in England!
Dear sir their use to be a cable channel on my area many years ago called O L N sponsored by Olin Winchester a Manufacturing Company in East Alton Illinois until they moved away. It broadcast shows about hunting, target shooting of all kinds especially reenactment groups of many eras.
@@britishmuzzleloaders incredibly good history lessons involving certain firearms. Demonstrations of various military weapons. Information on reenactments all over the country and shooting compititions.
You can have smoothbores sleeved and rifled, so if you can find an accurate repro that is smoothbore you can normally have a gunsmith sleeve and rifle it if you want to shoot it.
An Antique Gun Store had one advertised online, here in the UK about two years ago. If I recall, it had a price tag, of about Twelve Thousand Pounds on it.
britishmuzzleloaders it did help, a lot. Thanks. I’ve built a few track of the wolf kits now so it was good to see how much work was needed on the castings and stock an so on. Thanks again, your videos are great.
Oh boy. Just called TRS today.. They say that they are shipping a few Baker sets out next week mine among them, they were waiting on springs. ... We'll see, it's been since January, and I haven't asked before today, 'cause I knew the drill. I was assured that they weren't just kidding me, I hope not. This will be my fourth build of a flintlock kit.
@britishmuzzleloaders Have you heard the news from Pedersoli? During an interview they announced that they are working on the production of the Baker rifle replica. They said it will be available between autumn 2023 and 2024... Then of course i'll look forward to see your toughts ;)
I remember is the show some of the background characters just using a Nagant Rifle just striped of most parts to make it looks like any generic 1800’s rifle.
on the subject of you and answering where you got your rifles. thanks to you i want a snider but i have found a source for them but for an authentic "cleaned and complete" snider enfield its roughly $1k us and equally priced for martini henry mark IV plus equipment for casting and hand loading.
If the Snider is a Nepalese copy, you can run into some problems. I have heard of chambers being short and out of round, parts may not actually interchange. The Mk. IV Martini-Henry rifles are genuine ex-British in origin and are ok. There are lots of good Ex-British Sniders out there for less than the US price. You might want to go over to the British Militaria Forum. They have an excellent Snider area there and British Muzzle Loaders has excellent videos on Snider and Martini reloading and links.
The only "source" that deals with "cleaned and complete" arms is IMA.... Their Sniders are Nepalese and more often than not, have out of round chambers. Beware.
@@britishmuzzleloaders Sharpe started out in London, but a move to Yorkshire was introduced into his story as an explanation for Sean Bean's accent. Accents tended to be very localised: I've been told that I show traces of three distinct places, where my parents each grew up, and where I did, and so think a Yorkshireman of the time would likely have thought Sharpe was from somewhere close, but not be certain of where. In those days, even the gentry had local accents (though less of the local dialect). Another example: Billy the Kid's mother probably had a Yorkshire accent, so what did he sound like?
I finally got my Baker (Ahem Model 1800 Infantry Rifle) last week. Searched for one for almost a solid year until I found one in good enough condition to actually "pull the trigger". The barrel is in good condition with strong rifling. The fittings are muted but fully operable. The stock is a little on the dried out side, but fully fixable. About the only issue is the screws to hold the trigger bow down are oversized and for sure are not original. I need to either clean them up to fit or find originals to replace them. Now to find a sling and good sword bayonet.
I was lucky enough to find a partially built Baker kit, had it finished by a professional gun builder, and have THOROUGHLY loved shooting it since 2014. I have worked up a very accurate load and I’m getting scary accuracy at 200 yards and less.
"The Baker holds its place in modern legend and lore due to one man..."
Yes I half expected Sean Bean in green uniform and I'm not disappointed.
There is no doubt that the TV series was far more instrumental than the books in reaching the public, but all the credit needs to go to BC for the books in the first place....
@Frankthetank123098
BC's Sharpe's novels led me to read "Rifleman Dodd"...
The books are amazing
I wonder how the show would be if they remade it with a bigger budget
No doubt
It wouldn’t get a lot of views sadly
But We lads would Be happy would we not?
But That was some odd years ago
The show/movies is good as it is now
I love the way the clips he used were of him all uttering bastards lol.
I recently contacted Pedersoli Firearms and they informed me that they have purchased an original Baker rifle for examination and measurement purposes. They definitely are planning to have one available ASAP. They indicated that they would like it to be ready for production by 2024 but could not guarantee that at this time. I will try to keep you posted on this story as it develops.
I had heard the same!
Wait, seriously? NICE!
Huzzah! The Baker Rifle strikes once more!
Yes!
I didn’t think I needed a Baker before I watched this. Now I do need a Baker rifle.
same. I’ve never even really taken a second look at anything pre 1900 until now
Yes you do....
My parents bought an original Baker rifle for me in 1976 for making the honor roll. It cost a whole $175 US. I have both shot it and hunted with it during the last 44 years. I have never seen another one.
Well, wasn't that the best gift ever...!
The last original that sold went for around $20k I believe
Pedersoli could sell these like hotcakes if they were to make one.
Contact them and add your name to the number who have asked for the same. The more who ask the more possible it is that they may make one eventually.
I suggest that you follow John's advice... they will only do it if there is a perceived market for it...
That's what I thought too.
You can get the kit from "The rifle shoppe.com" right and left handed and in all three patterns
@@stevenbaker8184 I bought the parts kits for the .62 Baker from the Rifle Shoppe about 25 years ago. It came with a sand-cast lock, furniture, bayonet mount, sights - everything except the walnut stock and the barrel. Getz had the the dimensions for the Baker carbine barrel and it arrived fairly quickly. I turned everything over to a highly-competent blackpowder gunsmith. He polished the parts, tempered the frizzen and the main spring, and assembled the gun. Perfectly. All parts were cast from authentic Baker Rifles. Total cost for everything, including the sword bayonet and labor, was about $1200US (c. 1995). Won a couple of local matches with that rifle, even with the less-than-stellar copy of the original leaf sights.
Always a good day when you upload.
Very kind!
While the Baker is still a must have, I still have to ask:
Where in God's green earth did you find a Lee Metford Mk 1?
Or any long lee for that matter. I want one so bad, but it seems a EM2 would be easier to come by
Seen one at the stony plain gun show 2 years ago... 1400 bucks
My go-to for guns in general are small gun stores. They tend to still have at least a small rack of old guns usually sourced from local collectors who got the guns when they were far less rare, so they tend to be in good shape. Might have to go through several places but it is amazing how many of the guns that sell for a fortune on Gunbroker and only last for days before they get snapped up are just sitting in these small shops gathering some dust. Just don't expect these gun stores to all have nice websites listing their full stock; you gonna need to either show up in person or hope they are willing to tell you what they got over the phone.
there was a few for sale on tiger arms the other day
A few years ago, a friend of our family's Dad passed away. During the house clear out, they found a Lee Metford in the loft, wrapped up in blankets. Absolutely no idea where he got it from as he wasn't old enough to have had it issued - but it was just 'there'. It was declared and the Police had to collect it (as nobody present had a dealing licence!) but they do sometimes turn up in odd places. This was in the UK.
"Bloody Geese!"
GOOSES!
@@josephdriesenga2730 Geesi*
Martin the Music Making Musket Man *Geeses
Indeed!
Rather like the fellow in the original (and by far the better) True Grit, shooting a turkey with a Sharps carbine...ain't gone' be much of that bird left t'cook.
Now for the real question! When are we going to get a British Muzzleloader/ Cap and Ball crossover episode?
Canada,....... Hungary.... 🤔 We'll get it done eventually...
Don't forget to credit C S Forester's Rifleman Dodd from the novel "Death to the French". I read that novel long before Cornwell's chippy hero grumbled his way into the world.
Yes, indeed.
Just finished reading that in August.
It was on the official reading list when I was a young Marine, and I enjoyed it!
That is most certainly a beautiful rifle. You, and the rifle shop did a magnificent job on it.
Thank you kindly.
Ah, the things we do for our historic hobbies. I have to admit that you, sir, have far surpassed me in my insanity, but the results are well worth it, and the pride you show is fully justified. Thanks for the video.
You are most welcome!
I should like you to know that this videos and many others on your channel relating to the 95th rifles have inspired me greatly to do my own research into the fascinating subject and even secure a few pieces of kit for myself, including my very own baker rifle (albeit inert... for now) . Please do keep producing wonderful content like this, and I hope it inspires many others too. Much love and respect from the UK! 🇬🇧
That is very kind of you to say so. Glad you enjoy the channel!
6 Months ago, I just had to do it and I ordered a kit from The Rifle Shoppe. I'm doing my best by ignoring it and living my life!
Yes.... ignore it.....
"where can I get a Baker Rifle"
"you can't"
*laughs in Kentucky Long Rifle*
Track of the Wolf has a selection of fine Kentucky rifles for sale in finished and kit form.
Sure...
Damn rebels
Sometimes it pays to be an American lol
Don't think so.....
Well, that explains why I've had no luck looking. Thanks for the comprehensive overview!
You are welcome!
And here I thought I was cool for building ARs.
You're cool too.
Evan you are!
Hey building ARs, IS COOL!
Ahhh I love the Sharpe series! I've got the whole series, read every book at least once. Great video!
Fun books, not "history", but fun books...
Wow...what a shooting range you have there. Gorgeous scenery!
Cheers!
Loved the Aussie look with the OG's, floppy hat and Baker
Well before any BML thoughts.... that was the very first round fired...
I have an unfinished Kentucky Long rifle. First one turned out okay and became a gift to my father-in -law.
We haven't had any time at all for hobby projects at our machine and welding shop this year and gratefully so.
We'll go back to "playing" projects agian when it slows down eventually.
Wood stocks are my favorite as it's different than my 9-5 work. 🤷♂️
Hopefully you'll have time to complete it one day.
I’ve really enjoyed all the pieces about the Rifled Baker Rifle, so much so that I’ve just commissioned one to be made, now for the 18 month wait! Also, it will be my first black powder rifle 👍🏻 Thank you, great videos, I will be supporting 😊
Nice! and thank you for supporting the Channel!
You are really going all out for your first gun I hope you enjoy it.
Thats a hell of a first muzzleloader....
Just know that you cannot delay one second on cleaning it when finished... EVER. Black powder is an unforgiving whore.
ONE missed or delayed cleaning will rust your new rifle without a doubt.
“Bloody geese” I laughed waaaaay harder at that than I should have
Haha!
I love flint locks I've always wanted a brown bess or kentucky long rifle but I love this video on this rifle I knew nothing about. Thank you very much
You are most welcome!
Oh jeez, I really can't get enough of your style of humour and your excellent information.
Glad you enjoy it! Cheers!
I have a Nepalese Brunswick which has a similar appearance to the Baker (hold them side by side and you will see some significant differences), but uses percussion caps. The barrel is a two groove and uses the weird winged balls. So, if you want something similar to a Baker right now, then check out IMA. You can get them with the sword bayonet, but they will be a project and also may not be suitable to fire. Just a warning before you dive in. The Rifle Shoppe sells parts for them also.
Buyer beware... .they are peculiarly Nepalese.... they do not conform to Ordnance pattern Brunswicks.
Very interesting subject. I was a member of the 2nd Btn 95th Rifle Regiment (re enactment group) and I purchased my Baker from a gun store near Leeds. My model baker was not a rifle even though everything on the weapon was the same as a rifle, but a smooth bore shotgun or musket, in order to make ownership easier due to UK firearms laws. With the black powder licence as well, ownership and storage was up to firearms standard, very tight and restricted.
A common case, for sure!
My Rifle Shoppe Baker is done! I received it Sept 7 (8 months after ordering), and finished it in early Nov, I've only fired it once so far, windage was pretty good on the lower leaf, but about 8-10 inches high at 40M. I need to work up a good load before filing the sights. I'm thinking of making it my silhouette flintlock. I routinely shoot the muzzle loader silhouette match (50, 75 and 100 M) at Fairfax Rod and Gun Club in Northern Va. If you live within striking distance of Manassa Va. , and shoot any kind of muzzle loader check out Fairfax Rod and Gun Club and Bull Run Muzzle Loaders (BRML shoots at the Izzac Walton range in Manassas). Both hold monthly matches, open to the public. BRML is year around, FXRGC is seasonal. Both welcome any muzzle loader with iron sights, yes that means inlines too,. The BRML shoot is actually a muzzle loader day, you don't have to shoot the match, in which case any sights are OK. If you are a newbie its a chance to come and get any kind of help or advice you can imagine, both shoots are full of helpful, friendly and very experienced muzzle loader shooters. They are informal friendly matches and very open to anybody who wants to shoot muzzle loaders.
As for the build experience I would say this was on the faster side, but had a new to me technical challenge, soldering the bayonet log. I have built 4 flintlocks (from kits) now, A 40 cal Virginia Rifle kit from. TVM, A . 58 Jeager with parts from Track of the Wolf, but local partially inletted stock from Dunlap Woodcrafts, a Brown Bess with old Nepalese metal from IMI, (the stock was a terrible fit) and the Baker from The Rifle Shop, (pre built lock). The Rifle Shoppe kit had the best fit (metal to wood) For me the challenges were fitting the barrel properly, fitting the trigger guard, as I think it warped when taken out of the mold, soldering on the bayonet lug, and cutting the powder relief in the breech plug. However as this was my fourth build I at least had a chance. The butt plate, lock and side plate were easy to finish compared to the other builds. The barrel fit was a bit of a dissapointment, cut too deep near the breach, and pretty high and a bit narrow and off center along the barrel. Fortunately I could remove enough wood (unequally) from the sides to center it up, so it wasn't wrong, just un finished (expected) and slightly off center (not really a problem as long as you are taking care) . I did end up glass bedding the breach and 6 inches or so of the barrel because the back of the barrel channel was too deep (not horrible, say half a mm or less). You always have to pay attention to those sorts of things when finishing one of these kits. I would say that over all a newbie to flint lock building would find this rifle pretty hard to build, and if you are a flintlock newbie as well your chances go further down. The main reason I built it so fast was no decorative carving. I'm not an experienced wood worker and certainly not especially artistic so all I do is copy from what other people have done, slowly. However the Baker has no carving or fancy inlays, which for me is the scary time consuming part of building a flintlock. (My Jager took over a year because I got to the carving point and it took several months to get my courage up to the point of possibly ruining a nice walnut stock). For the Baker build, the biggest non obvious to me thing I learned was to fit the breech block to the barrel and plug first (pretty obvious) , then temporally solder the breech block to the plug (didn't think of that) so as to fit the tang, block and barrel to the stock all at once just like a non hooked barrel, Thanks to Bill Raby for that tip on his current You Tube build series.
Link to a photo of me and my Baker.
www.dropbox.com/s/14h3b5tqnkhgbja/DEC_Baker.jpg?dl=0
PS If this is too much of a plug for shooting clubs, suppliers, or the photo link is out of bounds, I apologize in advance and understand if you feel the need to remove)
Awesome news! Have a great time working it up!
As someone who's been a viewer of your channel for years, and owning a couple of geese myself, I can't even state how hard I laughed at the "BLOODY GEESE" at the start there. Almost had tea coming out of my nose. Master of comedy as well as information, I love it!
Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers.
I'm surprised this channel hasn't hit 100,000 yet...
Come on people 🧐
Very kind... Maybe one day....
Your usage of the phrase "Far and Away" was "Far and Away the best I have ever heard!
Thank you.
Absolutely fantastic Rob. For some years now I have shot an 1853 Enfield in the UK. However, for a while I have been considering building a Baker from the Rifle Shoppe kit. The alchemy of flint lock appeals and my alternative was a Kentucky Long Rifle but the practicalities of rhe shorter weapon appeal.
When I heard that TRS had stopped offering lock assembly, I spoke to a local clock maker who has offered to assemble the lock and seat the springs for a very reasonable fee. I am currently in correspondence with a barrel maker in England.
Lockdown aside I hope to have the project completed by the summer of 2023.
Great! Always awesome to hear of another Baker owner/builder come into the fold...
excellent. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Some of your vids I have watched 5 or 6 times. Thank you. You even replied to me once regarding a question I had About the sharp's series And loading techniques Of the Brown bess.👍
Glad to hear, and happy that you find the Channel to your interest! Cheers.
Thank you for making this video. I'v been such a huge fan of the Sharpe series since I was little. And you've answered all my questions amazingly. Your period outfit during the filming was also a joy to see.
Glad it was helpful!
Sir . I Have just watched your video and found it very inspirational. I’m an Ex Soldier of The 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, A CHOSEN MAN. Great Video Thank you .
Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!
Excellent video that I watched in full.
Thank you! Cheers!
I very much enjoyed your Baker Rifle videos. Have you read the "Barber's Instructions" (1804) manual? It's very comprehensive in regards to training and tactical field maneuvers for British rifle-equipped light infantry. It also includes diagrams for small-unit movements in the field and the complete scores for all bugle calls. My facsimile copy was published by "Museum Restoration Service" Ottawa, Canada 1968. I bought it from Ken Trotman's store in the mid-90s.
I have not read it. There were a great many manuals and treatises on the subject and from that it would seem that resultantly, there were many minor variations and differences from author to author as the "new" world of LI tactics matured during the Napoleonic Wars... Cheers!
Ah well my day just got better. Thanks Rob! Now off to watching the video.
Cheers!
As a Rifleman I thank you for this great video
Glad you enjoyed it. Lots more Baker Rifle content on the Channel if you are interested. Cheers.
Tally Ho my good sir! great video, keep up the work, thank you for being so diligent in your RUclips videos. Every time I sit down to watch I can often find myself having a good laugh or learning a great deal about my ancestors. Cheers from Texas!
Glad you like them! Thank you kindly!
britishmuzzleloaders I have asked you a question on a previous video about markings on an SMLE. My other question would be if a rifle dated to 1908 would happen to have a set of volley sights? And another question would be if at all possible to find a proper replacement disc for the buttstock.
@@davidjamessandling Yes, long range sights were a feature of the Mk III SMLE until 1916 when the Mk III* was introduced.
Purchasing a Baker rifle 300 years after its adoption purely for historical appreciation? Now that's soldiering!
Cheers!
Always happy to see your content and uploads! Stay safe and healthy!
Thank you!
I ended up with three Rifle Shoppe replica builds, an 1800 pattern Baker Rifle, a "Lewis and Clark" M1803, and an M1816 common rifle. Workmanship is exemplary on all. Wanted to order a British M1776 rifle but was daunted by the prospect of yet another three-year wait. Today I don't know whether or not TRS still does builds of their own kits.
Wow! Lots of shop time in there! Well done!
@@britishmuzzleloaders Having TRS do a build just about tripled the cost of the kit by itself. Browning a barrel takes two weeks! Each gun was shipped with a 100-yard test target with notes on the loads used. I didn't even have to do any sighting in!
It is a very interesting video, very informative. Thanks for making it.
Glad you liked it! Cheers!
Man, I love this channel.
Thank you!
I was enjoying this article when, what a surprise - my own Baker rifle popped up on the screen at 12:55! I was the lucky one who got my hands on this rifle from IMA and imported it back to the UK where I have it 'on ticket' and enjoy shooting it. It is made by the very designer of the British Infantry Rifle barrel, Ezekiel Baker, and I enjoy the thought that it was once held by the man himself. It is a private purchase rifle with no bayonet bar, but has seen action as evinced by a sabre cut near the breech - history you don't get with a reproduction. Although it comes at a price, it is likely to hold its value, so I would say an original is probably a better investment than a repro in the long run.
Many thanks for your interesting and informative articles.
Thanks for sharing!
An excellent video! Many Thanks!
Cheers!
"before he started dying everywhere he went" cracked me up!
Haha!
100 % fascinating 😊
Cheers!
Damn, this video is majestic in so many ways
Cheers!
Today is the day I'm going to start the journey to one of my dream guns and call the rifle shoppe and order a Pattern 1776 kit from them and with DeWitt Bailey's book British military Flintlock rifles 1740 to 1840 as my source I plan to do an in-depth historical overlook video on it.
That is when I get it and get it built
The order is in!!!
Now I just have to be patient and wait.
I'll just plan on it. Hopefully being here around this time next year.
Nice! I'll get around to finishing mine at some point!
@@britishmuzzleloaders It does seem like it'll be quite a fun build, somewhat like a German jeager but definitely anglecanized
Baker Rifle plus Teddy bear tablecloth!?! Gods I love this channel!
Ummmm,..... that's actually a "Christmas" teddy bear tablecloth.. 🙂
Here from 9 hole review, happily subscribed.
Thank you! Glad you have found things to your liking!
Well done Rob, as you were saying that hopefully a quality maker such as Pedersoli, can bring us this rifle. I am sure they watch your productions with much interest, and so they should. The Indian imports which I have a Brown Bess are wall hangars, or as you stated a reenactors kit gun for blank firing only. Love your channel and always look forward to the next production. Richard from Ontario.
I very much doubt it. The best the community can do is to constantly message Pedersoli and ask, again, and again, and again,......
"Bloody geese"...I laughed at a thing
Glad to hear!
Thank you so much for a very informative and entertaining video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love y’all featured a local vendor-the rifle shoppe
They are the only one out there... not really an option NOT to include them... 🙂
I won a 1781 Brown Bess (after more research confirmed it's definitely a Brown Bess) from gunbroker last week and it's so cool. It was converted into a caplock at some point in the 1800s and has markings showing it was issued to the East India Company. Also has a bayonet made by John Gill, but I suspect it is not from this musket, fits way too loose. I'm not quite sure if it's safe to fire though, going to resell it to a collector where I know it will be safe. As it stands it will just gather dust on my wall, it's too tall for my humidity controlled gun safe.
As long as the touch hole is not to big, the breech plug is tight, and the barrel has no cracks or spilts. It can fire!
Nice!
Well I came across the video when searching for Sharpe's rifle. Pretty interesting to learn about the rifle.
Lot's of Baker content on the Channel, if you are interested!
It's because of your show I take notice of this item.
Nice!
Excellent presentation 👍‼️
Cheers!
Thank you, Rob !
You are welcome!
Lovely video Rob - keep shooting!
Thank you!
this is making me wanna build a baker. god damn it!
thank you as always for this
You are welcome. 🙂
Thank you!
Cheers!
thanks for telling me about this "rifle shoppe"!
Cheers.
Great video. I want one now too. I have the Pedersoli Trade gun and really like it. I love shooting flintlocks and the Baker looks really good.
It's a fun, historic rifle.
Amazing channel- thank you
Thank you!
I'm currently at 6 month's of waiting for the Rifle Shoppe to deliver on my Baker kit. Like you I knew before I ordered that they would be way late, I'm about ready to ring them up and see if I can shake it out. I see I'm not the only one waiting...
Patience is a virtue, where TRS Bakers are concerned.... for sure.
Oh yes... The Portuguese had the Baker rifle as well. They removed the rifling. Made it into a smooth bore... Removed the cheek rest section. And at times covered the patch box with a wood blank...
Yes... I know... Us Portuguese are VERY different at times!!!
So, I guess it would be REAL easy to get an Indian made Baker. And turn in into the "Portuguese Pattern"...
Something to consider perhaps?
I think that was done with Portuguese service Bakers taken to Brazil. Not in Portugal.
Not by me.... 🙂
I saw an original rifled Portuguese Baker in Henry Krank's shop in Leeds a few yrs ago. I think it was about £5-6k. I was surprised at the price having seen auction pieces go for +£10k.
One would think with the popularity of the baker that a manufacture of replica arms such as Dixie gun works in the US, or Petersoli of Italy would have made one.
I know....
@@britishmuzzleloaders someday mayhap it will come to pass.
I'm a Snider guy thanks to your channel, but to the Baker goes the laurels.
And if you're GONNA get a Baker, get a rifled one: a smoothbore I think lacks the original gun's magic.
And well done with your Baker. A gun, or anything, you make yourself is truly yours.😉
While I agree, some have little or no choice in the matter.... hence the explanation given in the video.
@@britishmuzzleloaders Yup😔
I am SO late to the party! Only just recently started watching 'Sharpe'. Partly because when it was on TV, I was running round doing that sort of thing in real life as a member of the Royal Artillery (The Long Range Snipers, or 'Dropshorts). The Peninsular war is a horribly glaring gap in my knowledge of British History, and although it's a work of fiction, Sharpe is filling a few gaps and keeping me entertained. The Baker rifle seems to be a huge upgrade on the Brown Bess as far as accuracy is concerned, and it's also a lovely looking rifle compared to some others around during that era! The idea of getting my hands on one of the repro ones by 'Access Heritage' keeps springing into my head, not that I've got anywhere to play with it, IF I had an accident with a drill, and the touch hole magically opened up.....
It wasn't so much an "upgrade", as no other British unit carried it... an accessory perhaps. Lot's of Baker content on the Channel if you are interested.
@@britishmuzzleloaders Oh wow!! I really had no idea that it's use was as restricted as that! I knew that it wasn't the 'normal' issued firearm, but not so rare! Not for people who couldn't shoot, that's for sure! LOL. I'll have a look at your other content, sounds like it would be beneficial for educating myself! Thanks! :)
Great video! Very interesting and informative.
Thanks!
I just got my Baker Rifle from the Rifle Shoppe. It took a year for the parts, and was assembled by Larry Cruise, a gunsmith in Nebraska which took another couple of months. Total cost about 3K. The Rifle Shoppe no longer does the assembly. But after a long wait, I have a functioning .62 caliber rifle. Good thing I don't live in England!
Nice! although I don't see what England has to do with anything.....
Dear sir their use to be a cable channel on my area many years ago called O L N sponsored by Olin Winchester a Manufacturing Company in East Alton Illinois until they moved away.
It broadcast shows about hunting, target shooting of all kinds especially reenactment groups of many eras.
Good TV, then?
@@britishmuzzleloaders incredibly good history lessons involving certain firearms.
Demonstrations of various military weapons.
Information on reenactments all over the country and shooting compititions.
You can have smoothbores sleeved and rifled, so if you can find an accurate repro that is smoothbore you can normally have a gunsmith sleeve and rifle it if you want to shoot it.
Sure.
glad to see peter dyson & son on there, live about 15 minutes from them
Indeed!
Thank you for the review of The Rifle Shoppe. I've been looking at their website and pondering "Do I dare..."
This I´ve been asking myself for years
If you do, just take your time. Small steps (and thrust me there will a lot of them), will get you there.
An Antique Gun Store had one advertised online, here in the UK about two years ago. If I recall, it had a price tag, of about Twelve Thousand Pounds on it.
Not cheap at all...
Been looking forward to this video, thanks. Apparently I’m not the only one that has ask where to get one
You have not been, no. Haha! Hope this answered some questions.
britishmuzzleloaders it did help, a lot. Thanks. I’ve built a few track of the wolf kits now so it was good to see how much work was needed on the castings and stock an so on. Thanks again, your videos are great.
A brazilian fan here!
Love your videos.
I hope that i'm whriting it right :3
Thank you very much!
Excellent video!
Glad you liked it!
Amen to having Pedersoli getting off their duffs and into gear producing a proper Baker Rifle.
Fingers crossed!
I just picked up mine, purchased a Rifle Shoppe kit and had my trusty gunsmith assemble it for me
Nice!
Bravo! I need a baker rifle so bad....i feel like my interest in antique firearms is going to be an expensive hobby...
It is what it is....
When I get a Baker Rifle I also plan on getting a Sharps rifle and picture them together.
Have at 'er!
Oh boy. Just called TRS today.. They say that they are shipping a few Baker sets out next week mine among them, they were waiting on springs. ... We'll see, it's been since January, and I haven't asked before today, 'cause I knew the drill. I was assured that they weren't just kidding me, I hope not. This will be my fourth build of a flintlock kit.
Awesome news! Best of luck with it!
@britishmuzzleloaders Have you heard the news from Pedersoli? During an interview they announced that they are working on the production of the Baker rifle replica. They said it will be available between autumn 2023 and 2024... Then of course i'll look forward to see your toughts ;)
Yes I had heard! Very exciting news, indeed!
I remember is the show some of the background characters just using a Nagant Rifle just striped of most parts to make it looks like any generic 1800’s rifle.
Maybe,....
Thank you.
You are welcome!
Man i never even heard of the baker rifle before I even saw your vids lol.
And now you have! Cheers.
It's a lovely rifle mate fair play
Cheers!
I am happy that I own a Baker Rifle with rifled barrel. I love it.
Nice!
on the subject of you and answering where you got your rifles. thanks to you i want a snider but i have found a source for them but for an authentic "cleaned and complete" snider enfield its roughly $1k us and equally priced for martini henry mark IV plus equipment for casting and hand loading.
If the Snider is a Nepalese copy, you can run into some problems. I have heard of chambers being short and out of round, parts may not actually interchange. The Mk. IV Martini-Henry rifles are genuine ex-British in origin and are ok. There are lots of good Ex-British Sniders out there for less than the US price. You might want to go over to the British Militaria Forum. They have an excellent Snider area there and British Muzzle Loaders has excellent videos on Snider and Martini reloading and links.
The only "source" that deals with "cleaned and complete" arms is IMA.... Their Sniders are Nepalese and more often than not, have out of round chambers. Beware.
@@britishmuzzleloaders yeah thats who i was refering too. But wasnt sure of quality because of the armory purchase.
Of course Richard Sharpe would have said “Yer Geese Bastards”. Well done on another fine video :)
I don't speak Yorkshire, unfortunately.
@@britishmuzzleloaders Sharpe started out in London, but a move to Yorkshire was introduced into his story as an explanation for Sean Bean's accent. Accents tended to be very localised: I've been told that I show traces of three distinct places, where my parents each grew up, and where I did, and so think a Yorkshireman of the time would likely have thought Sharpe was from somewhere close, but not be certain of where. In those days, even the gentry had local accents (though less of the local dialect).
Another example: Billy the Kid's mother probably had a Yorkshire accent, so what did he sound like?
I finally got my Baker (Ahem Model 1800 Infantry Rifle) last week. Searched for one for almost a solid year until I found one in good enough condition to actually "pull the trigger". The barrel is in good condition with strong rifling. The fittings are muted but fully operable. The stock is a little on the dried out side, but fully fixable. About the only issue is the screws to hold the trigger bow down are oversized and for sure are not original. I need to either clean them up to fit or find originals to replace them. Now to find a sling and good sword bayonet.
Nice! Congratulations! Sling can be had from Shedtime Leather (found on FB). Laurence will set you up with a proper Rifle Corps version....
@@britishmuzzleloaders Thanks for the pointers! Appreciate it!
@@britishmuzzleloaders what a fine gentleman. Ordered!!!
So evidently I live less than an hour away from the rifle shoppe
Cool!
I was lucky enough to find a partially built Baker kit, had it finished by a professional gun builder, and have THOROUGHLY loved shooting it since 2014. I have worked up a very accurate load and I’m getting scary accuracy at 200 yards and less.
Nice!