Author Topic: English double Rook rifle 1857 in coming (Read 4284 times)

J.M.Browning · « **on:** April 12, 2022, 06:10:09 AM »

I shot this double back in 1989 afternoon lunch break bird hunting SD Ive owned several English doubles over the years although this Fred T Baker haunted me ever since my in hand experience. I have looked at several double rifles since , I was getting close to a purchase back a month . The owner of the rook rifle called about a Grizzle defense side arm for his place on the Madison river we have fished & hunted for over 50 years very close friends . After talking hand guns the Baker was discussed a deal was struck . Im very pleased to own this double & will shoot this at my range a lot .

Mattox Forge · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2022, 06:26:50 AM »

That is incredibly tiny and incredibly beautiful. What bore is it?

Mike

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2022, 06:53:30 AM »

Its no larger than 30 I did not even have Jon refresh my memory, I was so elated to finally take ownership. the gun is very small . The gun arrives I will scale it with a double box lock post a photo . The gun is very small good eye you can get a feel for size in relationship to Jon's hand . This is part of the haunting of this particular double . Also the scarcity of these double rifles of any caliber this time in gun making one with a very limited use .I will find it exciting to work up a load as to how the barrels are regulated. I will report back !

Mattox Forge · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2022, 07:13:30 AM »

Definitely a beauty. I should be so lucky. I bet the will shoot. #2 Rook cartridge was .376 if I recall, very similar in size to the old .38 S&W bore. If it is a .38 it would be marked as 85 bore. A .32 would be marked 142 or there abouts. It looks brand new. Looking forward to the reports!

Mike

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2022, 07:17:18 AM »

Thank you Mike I find your info valuable!

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2022, 07:23:28 AM »

Very bonny little rifle JM!
Has it an escutcheon on the wrist?
I see it has the Prince of Wales feathers on the entry pipe.

Cant read top rib. what does it say?

Would love to see lock work and mortise!!
Nice bolted locks.... Very bonny!

JBJ · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2022, 03:55:24 PM »

Simply stunning!!
J.B.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2022, 04:28:59 PM »

Quote from: Pukka Bundook on April 12, 2022, 07:23:28 AM

Very bonny little rifle JM!
Has it an escutcheon on the wrist?
I see it has the Prince of Wales feathers on the entry pipe.

Cant read top rib. what does it say?

Would love to see lock work and mortise!!
Nice bolted locks.... Very bonny!

I would also like to see the lock mechanisms.From the screw spacing I see on the plate I say it is high end work.
Bob Roller

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2022, 04:32:47 PM »

Baker's guns best quality English maker the company was absorbed by Westley Richards 1913 .

Daryl · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2022, 08:51:12 PM »

Bonny indeed. Last word on the rib is London. Can't make out the others, likely an address.
The 2-leaf + standing sight is also very interesting.

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2022, 08:58:59 PM »

88 Fleet Street London , I will post more photos when gun arrives.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2022, 11:42:19 PM »

Quote from: J.M.Browning on April 13, 2022, 08:58:59 PM

88 Fleet Street London , I will post more photos when gun arrives.

Please DO!

Bob Roller

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2022, 01:38:19 AM »

I will take detail photos try to scale with double 12 bore to give some idea of size .

Dphariss · « **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2022, 05:16:50 PM »

As Bob has indicated looks like top quality.
Congratulations this is a real treasure.
I wonder if any records still exist in England?

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #14 on:** April 14, 2022, 05:36:37 PM »

I will be contacting Westley Richards they absorbed baker 1913

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #15 on:** April 14, 2022, 05:42:20 PM »

The gun arrived today I will take many more photos my wife is on vacation with the camera the phone does not do it Justice .

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #16 on:** April 14, 2022, 06:08:09 PM »

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #17 on:** April 14, 2022, 07:29:16 PM »

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2022, 07:48:01 PM »

That cat is really pushing things !

Otto · « **Reply #19 on:** April 14, 2022, 08:42:30 PM »

That is a very nice piece. Thanks for the additional pix. Although a bit petit, it is very nicely proportioned and very well kept. Glad it cam "home" to roost.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #20 on:** April 15, 2022, 05:20:13 PM »

Gentlemen,
As this little rifle carries the motto and feathers of the Prince of Wales, I believe that this rifle belonged to him.
Edward would have been 16 in 1857.
I can not see that anyone else would be allowed to use the motto and feathers...

I may be wrong, I was once before! LOL!

Mattox Forge · « **Reply #21 on:** April 15, 2022, 05:37:58 PM »

I was wondering if that was the case. I imagine he and Prince Albert went around to Baker's and had it worked up. I would love to see the underside of the barrel to see the proof marks and, like Bob, the lock works. Also any details of the engraving. It would be fascinating to hear how it came to be in private hands. That is quite a beautiful and valuable rifle.

Mike

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #22 on:** April 16, 2022, 03:38:04 AM »

Steve Davis contemporary long gun maker imported the gun back in the 80's at the time he was building his place in Tenn .

J.M.Browning · « **Reply #23 on:** April 16, 2022, 03:43:48 AM »

I will be more than happy to show proof marks & remove locks & photo . Later in the week Im going to the U of M for surgery Monday all goes well I will photo & Post before next Friday .

Should I remove locks full cock or half any advice would be welcomed Thank you in advance Victor

Mattox Forge · « **Reply #24 on:** April 16, 2022, 03:59:14 AM »

Half cock would probably be best. Naturally you have to clear the nipple. Sometimes, when the hammer is fully depressed, the mainspring link rests below the lower edge of the lock plate, and the wood is carved out behind the outside surface. This means, if this condition exists, that the stock can be damaged if the lock is removed when the hammer is fully down. I would be very, very surprised if a first quality gun like this rifle had this issue though.

Mike

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Author Topic: English double Rook rifle 1857 in coming (Read 4284 times)