Sharpe's Rifles

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

Been watching replays of the "Sharpe" series from 1990. For about the fourth or fifth time...

Other than the "Volley Gun" carried by Sgt. Hogan, What are the rifles carried by the other soldiers? They are flintlocks, to be sure, but rather shorter barreled than the norm for the 1810-12 period, and certainly do nor seem to be Brown Bess rifles.

Any ideas?

 

[smoothshooter]

Been watching replays of the "Sharpe" series from 1990. For about the fourth or fifth time...

Other than the "Volley Gun" carried by Sgt. Hogan, What are the rifles carried by the other soldiers? They are flintlocks, to be sure, but rather shorter barreled than the norm for the 1810-12 period, and certainly do nor seem to be Brown Bess rifles.

Any ideas?

IIRC, they were Baker rifles.

 

[Rancocas]

I haven't seen the TV series, but I have read several of the books. Baker Rifles.

 

[Mattox Forge]

There is a very good book on British military Flintlock rifles that covers the design and development of these remarkable rifles. https://www.amazon.com/British-Military-Flintlock-Rifles-1740-1840/dp/1931464030

 

[Mike]

Baker rifle chambered in .62. Here's mind at the range.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

@Codger Craig Wilcox , get one of the smoothbore Baker muskets from Veteran Arms and send the barrel out to Boby Hoyt in PA. He rifled mine for only $80 and it shoots something AWESOME!

I shoot it along with 2 other BP Club members who both built their Bakers from the parts kit from The Rifle Shoppe and they all look pretty much identical! The only minute differences were in the spacing of the ramrod pipes and the length of one item on one as compared to the length on another, and I mean being like maybe a 1/16" difference at most!

From 3' away, someone would think they were either all originals or all built from the TRS kits, as the VA version is surprising really well made! And VA goes through all arms they procur. I've had over half a dozen pass through me hands - as I buy and sell prolifically - and have kept 3 for myself - 3 flintlocks [1 matchlock] - and all of their flintlock locks worked fine 'as is' and sparked well. Of course, me being a gunsmith et al, I further tuned them to my liking, but I just can't stop myself from playing around with me toys ...

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

Might have to check out getting one in the next few months. Appreciate your info. Lemme know next time you are thinking of passing one along.

 

[Sun City]

If you treat Sharps rifles right.....they'll work ya to death!! Rolling PP is just part of it!