Any Baker lovers here?

[Fabian23]

Who else shoots a Baker rifle or other military large bore flintlock (Jäger)rifle? I know the use of these was more of a European trend, but repros are out there.

My Baker rifle made by Peter Dyson in Olde England is a work of art, even at .625 cal it blows the black out of a target at 50m and holds its own at 100m. Now comparing that to what my Bess can do at 50m, Jäger battalions or regiments were rightfully feared.

 

[ohio ramrod]

would be about Baker style tents!

 

[Trench]

Don't own one, but I'm a fan since I'm also a huge fan of the Sharpe's book and movie series. How do you feel about the Harper's Ferry 1803, which was adopted by the US at about the same time the Baker entered British service?

 

[Fabian23]

I did not know this rifle until 2 minutes ago (ain't internet wonderful). Looks like a very graceful rifle. I prefer the more business-like fully stocked germanic influence military flint rifles myself. Was the 1803 fitted with a bayonet?

p.s The Baker used by Sharpe in the TV series was made by Mr Dyson.

 

[Trench]

I'd have to say I prefer the full stock of the Baker, myself over the Harper's Ferry. I don't think the Harper's Ferry accepted a bayonet, which is another plus for the Baker. It's surprising to me that our first rifle didn't have a bayonet, given the complaints our generals had about rifles during the Revolutionary War. Check out this quote by Mad Anthony Wayne:

I don't like rifles-I would almost as soon face an Enemy with a good Musket and Bayonet without ammunition-as with ammunition without a Bayonet;for altho' there are not many instances of bloody bayonets yet I am Confident that one bayonet keep off an Other...The eneymy knowing the Defenseless state of our Riflemen rush on-they fly-mix with or pass thro' the Other Troops and communicate fears that is ever Incident to a retiring Corps-This Would not be the Case if the Riflemen had bayonets-but it would be still better if a good muskets and bayonets were put in the hands of good Marksmen and rifles entirely laid aside. For my own part, I never wish to see one-at least without a bayonet.

 

[gjkershul]

What does a Dyson Baker cost and how available are they?

 

[Fabian23]

Cost £3000 nowadays. Definately an investment item that will last generations. Production time is about 1 year. Craftsmanship takes time.

 

[10 gauge]

The cheap ones from India cost $500, but I sure wish that Pedersoli made one.

 

[Trench]

I'm really surprised that Pedersoli doesn't make one. It could be because it would be the only .62 caliber in their line. The barrel wouldn't be interchangable with anything else they made, making it less cost-effective to make.

 

[gjkershul]

Anyone have any experience with the Indian Baker-a smoothbore as I understand- rebarreled with a rifled barrel?

 

[bingo1952]

That is a VERY nice rifle! For $4,497.58 USD and a years wait it should be nice and it is.
:thumbsup:

 

[Fabian23]

The Indian ones are not 100% accurate repros, but I have heard of people getting work done on the fittings, and wood and finally had a rifled barrel installed to get a decent result.

The Rifle Shoppe has it on offer, but you would probably have to wait 5 years going by experience ordering anything from them.

 

[cal.43]

The indiamade locks are srcap and the Colerainbarrel for the indiamade Baker don´t fit it´s to short.

 

[mmahlock]

I do.

Mine was made by Jess Melot of the TRS about 9 years ago. I mostly use it for target shooting with two clubs, one shoots at gongs from 30 to 100 yds and the other shoots paper targets at 50 and 100 yds. Even with the hard trigger pull, no set triggers, and open iron sights I can hold my own with both groups and win one or more targets from time to time.

I used in on my first hunt in years a couple of weeks ago and in spite of the rain if functioned quite well. I do need to make a cow's knee though for days when it really rains. I have also finely decided that the barrel needs to be browned per regulations. I might as well be wearing a neon sign walking around in the woods with that shiny barrel. :grin:

:thumbsup:

 

[Tsegoweleh]

I love bakers.
Especially if they make cheez-cake.
sorry couldent resist. Merry Christmas? :v

 

[robinghewitt]

I just got a Osborn & Gunby bayonet for mine and it doesn't fit. Bidding was hot but I really wanted it :hmm:

It is in unissued condition so it's never been cut to fit a rifle. Got the sheath for it to :thumbsup:

 

[Grizzled Roberts]

I bought a US made Baker around 7 years ago. It was made here in NC for a man crazy about the Sharps Series ( when it first came out! ) The man had the whole kit for it, the bayonet, the proper 1806 type powder horn, a sewn canvas case with the rack and stack numbers, a canvas cows knee< painted over in black with the rack and stack numbers, The proper tool kit in the patchbox, turn screw, ball puller, torque bar and cleaning jag. It had a few other item I can't think of right now. No Idea of who built it in 1992! I guess it was owned by a 95th regiment reenactor. When I put my first live rounds through it it started having problems. The proper powder horn...
would not hold powder!!! I found this out in my living room while I was standing barefoot filling the powder horn! The fixed sight was some unworkable distance and the flip up dead on at 200
just like the originals! I was able to tune the fixed sight, have the lock tuned and a touch hole liner put in that would not discharge the ignition gases under the lock plate! After all of this work I am quite happy with this rifle! I have hunted with it and hit 50 % of my 200 yard bears at Friendship! I had it at Friendship a couple of years ago and this Englishman wearing a good looking 95th Rifles uniform came walking by with a Jeager rifle! I asked him to stand there for a minute and I handed him my Baker!! I thought I was going to get to see an Englishman Cry!!! :thumbsup:

 

[tsmgguy]

I have a Rifle Shoppe Baker. The quality of it is amazing, with a perfect wood to metal fit and everything "just so", right down to the markings and stamps. The stock is of English walnut and the barrel is browned. Mine was made by TRS, not from one of their kits by someone else.

Search this forum; I posted photos of it awhile back.

I ordered a TRS sword bayonet, which is also a work of art. I waited for it for over a year. I did not realize that they do not produce a scabbard for it, and I've been looking for one.

I've been so pleased with the Baker that I ordered up a TRS M1803 "#15" Corps of Discovery replica. The order was placed in August, 2007, and it's not here yet.

 

[10 gauge]

Hell, I would take one in 58cal if Pedersoli would make it. 58cal is close enough to 62cal for me.

 

[tsmgguy]

A few photos of my TRS Baker rifle:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/tsmgguy_photos/Baker9.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/tsmgguy_photos/Baker8.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/tsmgguy_photos/Baker7.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/tsmgguy_photos/Baker5.jpg


Yes, it's a lefty, and yes, they were originally made in left handed versions!