Auction Catalogue

10 May 2007

Starting at 1:30 PM

.

Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 356

.

10 May 2007

Estimate: £200–£250

British Historical Medals, Friends of Humanity Lodge, a hollow decorative badge, Prince’s plumes, rev. named (Ezekiel Baker, P.G., Given as a token of Respect for Meritorious Conduct, July 6th 1846), 82mm. Good very fine; in decorative gilt mount with two rings for suspension (£200-250)

Plate 16. Ezekiel Baker, master gunsmith at 24 Whitechapel, London, was the instigator of the Baker rifle, the first standard-issue British-made rifle accepted for use by the British armed forces. The pattern for his rifle was selected by the British Board of Ordnance at Woolwich on 14 February 1800; .625 calibre with a 30-inch barrel fitted for a sword bayonet, scrolled brass trigger guard and a raised cheek-rest on the left of the butt for additional support when aiming, together with on-board cleaning equipment. Over 22,000 Baker rifles were produced between 1800 and 1837 by a variety of manufacturers and gunsmiths. By 1808 the weapon was in wide use in the Peninsula conflict and it remained in service in many theatres of war until the early 1840s