British Pattern 1800 Baker RIfle

This P1800 Baker rifle was built by David Stavlo. This museum quality piece is a true recreation of one of the most famous weapons used during the Napoleonic Wars; and features all correct finishes and markings.

The stock was carved from straight grained Walnut. David hand-fit each component to the stock to make sure the fit was similar to what's found on original Bakers, produced during a time that predated modern stock bedding machinery. After all the parts were fit, David continued with the stock shaping. After studying quite a few original guns pictured in books like DeWitt Bailey's British Military Flintlock Rifles 1740-1840, David was able to work the stock down to the graceful profile of the original Baker rifles; with special attention paid to the lock mouldings, wrist, and forestock. The stock was burnished like the originals before being finished with linseed oil. As an added bonus, David was able to inspect an original Ordnance Pattern Baker rifle and copy the gun's markings. This allowed us to have a full set of Baker proofmarks/store keeper's marks made to the exact specifications of those found on originals. These stamps were applied the the butt stock, barrel, and tang of this Baker; making it a perfect replica - right down to the smallest of details. 

With the stock finished, the work continued with the finishing of the gun's metal. David silver-soldered the bayonet lug to the barrel and cut the dovetails for both the front and rear sights. Unsatisfied with the brass front sight included with the kit, David custom fabricated a correct steel front sight for this gun, again using various references on original Bakers for the dimensions. With this finished, the barrel was then draw filed and the correct proof marks were stamped. David completed the barrel with a correct browned and lacquered finish. This again is another detail found on original Bakers as Bailey's book mentions the barrels were finished with a smooth browning to reduce glare when shooting, and the browning was subsequently protected with several coats of lacquer. David replicated both the browning and the protective lacquer on this barrel (which was surprisingly difficult to accomplish, as one needs to make sure that the browning agent is absolutely neutralized before the lacquer is applied; otherwise the barrel may rust underneath its protective lacquer coat. 

The lock and furniture were all hand finished and polished, and a set of original Baker swivels were installed. The lock was sent to a professional engraver to have all of the cast-in engraving hand-chased; which really makes all the details "pop". Then, both the lock and breech were bone-charcoal color case hardened in house.

David also replaced nearly all of the screws that were included in the kit with custom-made replacements, as we found most of the included screws featured heads that were a bit too small. All the screws, along with the wedges and springs were then nitre-blued like those found on original Bakers. 

The brass furniture was hand finished and polished and installed on the finished stock. 

Finally, David test-fired the rifle and was quite impressed with how accurate it shot with a .610 ball over 65 grains of FFG.