This weapon was introduced after successfully winning the trials for a rifle for the British Army to be issued to the Experimental Corps of Riflemen at Woolwich in London. Designed and made by Ezekiel Baker, his rifle incorporated all the best features in the current European designs rather than being innovative. It was soldier-proof in construction, and with relatively easy to load seven-groove quarter turn 30" barrel rifling. It was accurate at a man-size target at ranges up to 250 yards, and could be fired twice per minute by a semi-skilled rifleman loading under 'battlefield' conditions. The rifle was originally calibred at the same as the infantry musket to standardise ammunition supplies - .705 inch - but later reduced to .615 inch which was the standard ammunition used for the cavalry's carbines, this made the rifle lighter and more manageable. Later still, the rifle was supplied with ball ammunition cartridges specifically made for the rifle, which solved previous problems in loading a bullet that did not fit exactly.
Riflemen were allowed by their officers to load their rifles in whatever way they liked as long as they could prove that it was accurate to a set standard, some with separate ball and patch, others with cartridges. Some riflemen fired only one round in three minutes, but could get results fired at some targets at ranges of 400 yards. Most riflemen practised with live ammunition (the British being the only army that allowed its soldiers to do this), and achieved two shots per minute at ranges of around 150-200 yards, with enough accuracy to strike an enemy soldier somewhere on his body. This was enough to render him hors de combat. This degree of battlefield accuracy with firearms was hitherto unknown, the common musket being unreliable at ranges over 75 yards.
The barrel of the rifle was browned to prevent glare giving away the rifleman's position. Each rifleman carried a small toolbag (a turnscrew, ballpuller, worm and tommy bar) to enable him to keep the rifle clean and serviceable, together with new flints and a supply of patches.
The Baker rifle of the Peninsular War period was equipped with a 24" long-bladed, brass handled sword bayonet. These were very handy for chopping wood for the campfire, toasting meat, picketing horses and other camp tasks - they were rarely used for hand-to-hand combat.
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Last update September 30th 2002