Thanks again fellows. Just for interest's sake, I weighed her, and she's a solid nine pounds, without the sword.
We ordered the parts to build the 1800 model - the first Baker - to fit in with the client's persona in the 95th Regiment. And I liked the look of the architecture better than later models. It's owner, Sheldon, is still in the process of assembling his clothing, though he has all of the accessories and leather and the shako. He is just finishing up a Master's Degree, so his attention is on more important issues than this rifle, but he picked it up last night and for once, could not find anything to say. Perhaps during the coming summer we can get him out shooting it, and he can continue to assemble his kit.
The accessories that came with the Baker originally were a slotted wiper, a ball "drawer", and one tapered pin to act as a handle on the muzzle end of the rod. All were of steel, but I made them of brass to spare the bore, which is like a mirror. I polished the face of the breech plug, and you can look down the bore and see it clearly. It helps to see the bore too. To have a set like the originals would be a good addition for show. I included a second pin so that he could run it through the accessories to tighten or loosen them as well. They are threaded 12 x 24.
Your load selection sounds appropriate, and was in the ball park of where I thought we'd start. A .600 pure lead ball and a .020 denim patch is a good tight seal - engraves the ball deeply. Baker rifles were issued with a mallet - every second one that is - to start the tight patched ball. Once in the muzzle, the steel rod pushes it down easily.
If anyone is interested in building one of these, be sure to contact me to discuss its nuances.
