A Rare 1805 Baker Rifle Regimentally Marked to the 95th Rifles.
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45” overall, 30 ½” carbine bore twist iron barrel rifled with seven grooves & stamped with the King’s proofs. Fitted with a sword bayonet bar at muzzle, blade foresight, the rear sight with a fixed V leaf and a single hinged leaf, flat New Land Pattern lock stamped "TOWER" on the tail with Crown GR & inspector’s stamp, raised semi-waterproof pan, border line engraved flat ring neck cock. Regulation brass mounted walnut full stock with slit pattern fore-end, the butt with cheek rest on the left side and on the right fitted with a rectangular round ended brass patchbox containing a set of original Baker implements. Scroll trigger guard, two rammer pipes, the butt cap engraved '95th / 1 / A / 48', the rifle is complete with its sling swivels and correct ramrod.
Very fine rifle in good condition, very good bore, very rare to find an example with a New Land Pattern lock, stock & barrel, all have the same 1111 stocker’s marks. Lock has crown over 3 inspectors mark, lock stamps are faint.
Circa 1808.
This is an exceptionally rare, historic rifle, British service issue Baker rifles are scarce, regimentally marked specimens to an elite regiment exceptionally so. The 95th (Rifle) Regiment served throughout the Peninsular campaign in both Spain and Portugal seeing action in all the major battles. They formed the rearguard on the retreat to Corunna, were present at the battles of Badajoz, Salamanca, Talavera, and Vittoria to name but a few. It is recorded that on the 3rd January 1809 Rifleman Plunket of the 1st Battalion 95th shot and killed French General Colbert at an estimated range of between 400 to 600 yards and then shot another officer who went to the General’s aid, with a Baker rifle such as this. The regiment was also present at one of history's most famous battles, Waterloo, where against all odds they held their position armed with rifles such as this.