Building a British Pattern 1800 Rifle (Baker)

[dave_person]

Hi TFoley,
The sear is fully engaged in the tumbler notches, which is why the trigger rattles a little at full cock. The pull is largely the result of how I positioned and pinned the trigger. I cocked the gun and smacked the butt against the ground pretty hard multiple times and it did not accidently fire. I don't like set triggers but do like light simple triggers with 1-2 lbs pull and so do most of my clients. Folks with set triggers routinely fire guns safely with trigger pulls less than 1 lbs. I could not stand to fire a gun with 5-7 lbs trigger pull nor could I shoot it accurately, and none like that will ever leave my shop, even the worst repro muskets. The Baker has a fly detent, which means you can set up a light trigger. Limiting it to 5-7 lbs is to totally waste the advantages of that feature. I understand your point of view. I have an original 1776 Royal Forester's carbine on my bench right now and the trigger pull is terrible, about 7 lbs. However, The Elliot carbine I m making, which is very similar to the Royal Forester's will have a trigger pull about 2 to 2.5 lbs. The lock does not have a fly but I can shape the tumbler notches to provide a solid and safe half cock and a safe but good light trigger from full cock. That way the owner can use the gun during events like woodswalks with success. He also has a safe gun to use during reenactments of the 17th light dragoons. It is not magic, just good gunsmithing.

dave

 

[Rudyard]

Someone once said the English would never say (admit?) that they were influenced by the jaeger in regard to the Baker, but the resemblance is not hard to see.
Looking forward to watching this new project, Dave!

Well' someone' was wrong all Baker claimed was his rifling' and he was not back wards in coming forwards, a latter day Greener in that respect Rudyard
Latter back from a shoot shot my snap matchlock of 54 rifled .axe marks an all . . Yes re Bakers Ime sure the false breech would be hardened but can check I've never seen original locks with deliberate case harden colours but cant rule it out (Its never wise to boldly state 'They never did ' Ect as ones sure to' pop up' & bite you!) but ' Old Dog 'knows the Brum Trade . John St 'Ledger used to re case harden Falling blocks for an Australian customer of mine I used to pick them up & send him (Wal Winfer )he was in the ' NEW Buildings' Well they WHERE back in history .Old Dog knows that stuff Re Eliots Well I made one up the full to muzzle ' Home Stocked' first pattern 1760 if omitted the small dog catch ( Couldnt See it in De Wits book !) It went to Dan Broderick in Mass but he tried to solder a different front sight with out removeing from the stock ! saw it Later at an Eastern some place .I used a ' North Star' lock sans ' fox " mark . I even made conjectural first Pat Royal Forester s but made it 2 " short in the barrel .. Pretty things I made a lot of carbines mostly for US' Patrons ' ( Up market Customers !) I could not say I am a great authority. But I Can talk fast .!
I shot against a TRS Baker today I beat it with my snap matchlock but ime only 80 its owner was older, he did do' Figure of a man' but I managed 'figure of a Donkey' which is NZ parlance for ' Red Deer' Well for hunters at least ,group covered by a hand .bad news for any Donk . .Again I doubt any Ordnance Officers any thing what does surface are Volunteers Officer Rifes & all such kit ' I made a Vol one years ago owner still has it . Quarter Pitch in 30" never ' pulled many trees up with it ' & Ime fairy sure most TRS have faster pitches .Anyway trust that helps. Wish I had an apprentice but just not the market demand & governments now do their damnest to cripple my export trade.
Regards Rudyard