When is a rifle not a rifle? The Sealed Pattern Baker with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson.

Published on March 2, 2022
Duration: 14:28

This video details a unique 'sealed pattern' Baker rifle, identified as an unfinished example from the early days of the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield. Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson explains how this smoothbore, unsighted rifle, lacking a bayonet bar notch and front sling swivel, served as a control for manufacturing. It highlights the transition from the Tower of London's assembly system to Enfield's in-house production of complete firearms, suggesting this unfinished pattern was a cost-saving measure for contractors during wartime.

Quick Summary

This Baker rifle is a unique 'sealed pattern' for an unfinished firearm, lacking sights and rifling. It served as a control sample for manufacturing, allowing contractors to produce the basic gun before Enfield completed finishing steps like rifling and sight fitting.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction: The Baker Rifle
  2. 00:31Unconventional Baker: No Sights, No Rifling
  3. 01:00Conventional Baker Comparison
  4. 01:44Baker Rifle's Historical Context
  5. 02:06The Mystery of the Smoothbore Baker
  6. 02:54Identifying the Sealed Pattern
  7. 03:00What is a Sealed Pattern?
  8. 03:57Missing Features: Bayonet Bar, Sling Swivel
  9. 04:14Muzzle Detail and Guideline
  10. 04:35Interpretation: Unfinished Sealed Pattern
  11. 04:58Purpose of Unfinished Patterns
  12. 05:37Enfield's Early Days and Baker Rifle
  13. 06:09Enfield's Manufacturing Evolution
  14. 06:33Lock, Stock, and Barrel Manufacture
  15. 07:13Speculation: Contractor Use
  16. 08:38Explanation for Unfinished Pattern
  17. 08:55Other Markings: Proof Marks
  18. 09:22Inventor's Name: E. Baker
  19. 09:38Cost Comparison: Sample vs. Production
  20. 10:28Lock Mechanism: 1823 Pattern
  21. 11:02Lock Markings: Tower, GR, Royal Cipher
  22. 11:23Production Pattern 1823 Enfield Baker
  23. 11:34Enfield Inspector Marks
  24. 12:05RLMY and Enfield Markings
  25. 12:34The First Enfield Rifle?
  26. 13:14Conclusion and Thanks

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this Baker rifle different from a standard model?

This Baker rifle is a 'sealed pattern' for an unfinished version. It lacks essential components like sights and rifling in the barrel, and its bayonet bar is not notched, indicating it was a control sample for manufacturing rather than a completed firearm for use.

What is the significance of a 'sealed pattern' firearm?

A sealed pattern is an official, government-approved sample firearm used as a physical blueprint to ensure consistency and quality control during mass production by state arsenals or contractors.

Why would the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield produce an unfinished sealed pattern Baker rifle?

It's speculated that this unfinished pattern was a cost-saving measure for contractors. They could produce the basic firearm, and Enfield would then perform the more complex finishing steps like cutting rifling, fitting sights, and crowning the muzzle.

When was the Baker rifle first produced and by whom?

The Baker rifle was first issued around 1800 and was the first complete firearm made at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield, which was fully operational by 1823 for this final version.

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