Item Description
Original item: Only One Available. Here we have a very interesting Officer's PRIVATE PURCHASE 0.71" flintlock rifle, made very much in the style of the Baker rifle, made by Clark of London. Also sometimes spelled "Clarke", this multi-generation shop operated from 1785 until 1840 in Holborn, London. Clarke had many British government contracts to supply military muskets but also built bespoke guns making business for well heeled customers. This also included military officers, who were expected to purchase their own equipment, which included both their uniforms as well as their firearms.
The rifle measures 50 inches in overall length, with a 34 1/2" barrel with 9 groove rifling, and has all brass fittings, standard at the time. It is marked CLARK on the lock plate, and the breech of the barrel is marked with the CROWN / GP "Gunmaker's Proof" and CROWN / V "viewed" markings from the London Gun Company Proof house. With the relatively large bore, this must have packed quite a punch.
The original stock is in lovely condition, with a nice old finish, probably applied decades ago. It shows some cracks and old wood repairs along the woodline on the forestock, and the left side has a crack going all the way to the ramrod channel. The butt stock area is solid, with no cracking we can see near the wrist. and just a few bits of wood filler near the brass butt plate.
The stock is fitted with the standard sling swivels, both of which are still intact, and has three very large ramrod pipes on the underside of the stock. There is a brass tipped wooden ramrod installed, but this is almost certainly a replacement. We checked the lock, and it is functional but the tumbler worn, so it will fire at both half and full cock. We checked the bore, and it still shows clear rifling, but also light oxidation and fouling, as to be expected on this type of early rifle.
A very nice British Officer's private purchase flintlock rifle in a very interesting configuration. Ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: Circa 1820
Bore Diameter: .71" with 9 Groove Rifling
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 34 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 50 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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