Original British Officer’s Private Purchase Flintlock Baker Style Rifle by Clark of Holborn, London – circa 1820 Original Items

Original item: Only One Available. Here we have a very interesting Officer’s PRIVATE PURCHASE 0.71″ flintlock rifle, made very much in the style of the Baker rifle, made by Clark of London. Also sometimes spelled “Clarke”, this multi-generation shop operated from 1785 until 1840 in Holborn, London. Clarke had many British government contracts to supply military muskets but also built bespoke guns making business for well heeled customers. This also included military officers, who were expected to purchase their own equipment, which included both their uniforms as well as their firearms.

The rifle measures 50 inches in overall length, with a 34 1/2″ barrel with 9 groove rifling, and has all brass fittings, standard at the time. It is marked CLARK on the lock plate, and the breech of the barrel is marked with the CROWN / GP “Gunmaker’s Proof” and CROWN / V “viewed” markings from the London Gun Company Proof house. With the relatively large bore, this must have packed quite a punch.

The original stock is in lovely condition, with a nice old finish, probably applied decades ago. It shows some cracks and old wood repairs along the woodline on the forestock, and the left side has a crack going all the way to the ramrod channel. The butt stock area is solid, with no cracking we can see near the wrist. and just a few bits of wood filler near the brass butt plate.

The stock is fitted with the standard sling swivels, both of which are still intact, and has three very large ramrod pipes on the underside of the stock. There is a brass tipped wooden ramrod installed, but this is almost certainly a replacement. We checked the lock, and it is functional but the tumbler worn, so it will fire at both half and full cock. We checked the bore, and it still shows clear rifling, but also light oxidation and fouling, as to be expected on this type of early rifle.

A very nice British Officer’s private purchase flintlock rifle in a very interesting configuration. Ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1820
Bore Diameter: .71″ with 9 Groove Rifling
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 34 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 50 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.