The 1800 Baker Rifle: Musketry of the 95th - Part TWO

[@creanero]

I think one of the things that this illustrates is the difference between a modern recreational shooter and a professional soldier of times past: the modern chap doing this for fun gets far more practice shooting a variety of arms than the soldier ever did. It probably shouldn't be a surprise, then, when our gallant host shoots to the highest standard.

[@mr.stotruppen8724]

Six rounds of ammunition to practice with per day isn't exactly adequate by any modern standard.

[@creanero]

@@mr.stotruppen8724 It gets scarier when you realise the British army was well regarded at the time because they expended far larger amounts of ammo in training compared with continental armies.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed.... puts things into perspective doesn't it....

[@coryhall7074]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Did the Rifles or indeed any specialized light infantry of the period do any testing for eyesight? I understand that modern close-up reading leads to more people needing correction than was the historical norm, but that is balanced by the clear lack of optometrical care. It would seem nigh impossible to effectively engage a target at 300 or even 200 meters without good vision, but Ive never heard of any testing done

[@USN1985dos]

And in so many ways, things haven't really changed. When I was with an infantry battalion of the Army National Guard, we qualified with 3 magazines of 20-rounds a piece, so a total of 60 rounds. We had additional ammunition to zero our rifles (on average we probably used about 20 rounds), but aside from that, we could conceivably go a full year and only do range qualifications twice, so roughly 160 rounds fired per soldier for the entire year. Now, compare that to my ammunition expenditure as a civilian, where I fire about 2,500-3,000 rounds a year. However, I should probably mention that the regular army undoubtedly goes to the range more often than the Guard does, and both sides have additional training aids to enhance individual skill, such as a virtual range, but still. It's sort of ridiculous how seldom professional soldiers get to actually practice with live ammunition in the US.

[@jameswells554]

"That is an absolutely Recruit sized grouping." 😆

[@wierdalien1]

That was an absolutely savage self burn. I hope he had ice packs on hand

[@jameswells554]

@@wierdalien1 maybe some Bactine spray.

[@davidbrennan660]

Potatoes..... .

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Well, it was.....

[@8023120SL]

The odd inexplicable miss can usually be attributed to the inadvertent selection of a left handed ball for use in a right handed barrel.

[@slowhand1198]

Perhaps so. However, the true failure involved is that of not reversing said left handed ball 180 degrees before installing it in the muzzle. Procedure.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahaha!

[@LarryGullahorn]

Now that's funny right there,I dont care who ya are,yes sir.

[@mediocrefunkybeat]

Really puts into context what an excellent shot you are. Black powder, heavy ball, flintlock and able to make consistent hits on a man-sized target at 200 yards kneeling. Don't underestimate your ability. This is seriously difficult.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Always room for improvement, though! Cheers.

[@harryharris4889]

Oh huzzah. Another splendid video, my man!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@tsmgguy]

Rob, you probably have more experience with the Baker rifle than anyone alive.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Don't know about that, but I certainly enjoy it!

[@MrRedbeard762]

Another excellent lesson in the history of musketry. Thank you.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are welcome!

[@curtisparr3609]

As always Rob great video!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@LarryGullahorn]

I must say that the videos are most interesting to this OLD MAN of 74. I was introduced to the Baker rifle from the tv movies with Sean Bean as Mr. Sharpe in SHARPES RIFLES here on youtube.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Great!

[@demomanchaos]

It is rather interesting that your grouping with the old flintlock is better than many can muster with modern firearms.

[@Impreza-bj5jh]

Probably better than me...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I wouldn't go that far.....🙂

[@PhilipKerry]

@@britishmuzzleloaders When I was in the Army I could manage a 5" grouping with Ironsights at 300 yds with my properly zeroed SLR :)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@PhilipKerry Nice shooting.

[@Quincy_Morris]

Flintlocks are far more accurate than people think.

[@adamsnook9542]

Awesome video as always Rob. Puts Over the Hills and Far Away on repeat for the rest of the evening.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers.

[@matthayward7889]

Absolutely brilliant video!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nedwardmumford7525]

This is such an amazing video series. I’m so glad it exists.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad to hear!

[@davesdiversions8078]

This reminds me of the series Sharpe's Rifles. Excellent program.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Easy on the Sharpe comparisons,.... 🙂

[@pmjn0943]

Brilliant and interesting video,

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@coldandaloof7166]

I am really enjoying these rifle videos. Thanks so much for the info.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad to hear!

[@notarokescientist3003]

I can not even see V pulling the sled rope. Well Done

[@blueband8114]

Great video, very interesting, in the current times of closed museums, this fits the gap nicely.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@louiscifer5438]

really a very nice and precise rifle, thank you for these quality videos

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are most welcome!

[@poppasquat8483]

Great work as usual, Rob. Looking forward to some work with the Brunswick ;)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Gotta find one.... 😀

[@johnfisk811]

First class as usual! Interesting to see the kneeling positions represented on the volunteer medals. It looks a bit wobbly compared to yours.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks John! There seems to be an interesting dichotomy about the kneeling... for the line, it was a position used to "get out of the way" of the rear rank... and did not have knee to elbow contact... for the Rifles, there seems to be much more of an emphasis on the stability and good shooting (understandably)

[@ilfarmboy]

you go thru some tough drills

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Not too tough... 🙂

[@string-bag]

Great video as usual Rob. I've picked-up a lovely 1st Pattern Brunswick Rifle which I am anxious to shoot. I am going to use your idea of plastic reusable powder cylinder/chambers in the cartridges I plan to load. I recycled some surplus to needs purple 16 gauge hulls with the star-crimp intact and sealed. The purple will show through the outer paper wrapper so I can tell which firearm and what charge. Next I need a uniform, probably Crimean War.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That's a fairly rare piece. Good luck when you get around to shooting it! I'll get there eventually.

[@jargobordine7254]

Try rolling your trigger thumb to the side. It helps with breaking the wrist under recoil at long ranges. Thumb is parallel with barrel.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks.

[@kummbara1]

great video!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks!

[@alanthevan]

Great insight into the the range practices of the day. Sixty rounds a year eh ? Range days must have been a blast.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They only shot a paltry amount per day... I'm away from my references right now, but somewhere in the neighbourhood of 10.

[@billdyke9745]

One practice shot every 5/6 days? How did Tommy fill his days? Anyone for crochet? A bout of competitive knitting? Did needlepoint count as bayonet drill? Answers on a sampler, please. As ever, sir, educational and hilarious. Many thanks.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikehoare1338]

A connoisseur´s guide to the baker rifle ! As usual, top quality content, thank you Rob. Btw., how´s the ol´ boy MacKenzie doin´?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

He's just fine! Thanks.

[@buddysbird3128]

I wish someday I could go outside in my backyard with my full kit and uniform, and shoot some powder for days on end. What a nice time you do have. Well maybe someday.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I am fortunate, for sure...

[@NihilsineDeo1866.]

For King and Country , nice video Huzzah :)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@lightbox617]

I grew up in the American Midwest in the 1960s. Like every 16year old, I had a 22, a 112 gauge and access to safety training and rifle ranges. At that age, my vision was better than 20/20. With a rifle, I never hit a good score on a range at , what 30 yards? Oddly, I don't know why or how, with a 12 guage shooting trap at age 35. I never missed

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Go figure!

[@uttaradit2]

good stuff

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@dermotrooney9584]

Delightful. 👍🏼

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you think so!

[@Tadicuslegion78]

Can only imagine how hot and itchy that uniform gets in the summer.

[@9inchpp]

Meh it's not like they're deployed in the equator.

[@danieltaylor5231]

@@9inchpp Portugal and Spain can get quite warm in the summer.

[@JoramTriesGaming]

Having worn No.1 Dress (the modern full navy blue wool uniform) in ~35C weather and marching in parade in Belgium, there are certainly worse things to be wearing in the heat. Funnily enough, my cadet unit was there with another, who were badged to the Rifles, and thus wearing the modern dress equivalent of what was the 60th's uniform.

[@theblackprince1346]

As well as Spain and Portugal the Rifles were involved in the River Plate Expedition in 1806-1807 (present day Uruguay and Argentina, which get pretty hot to say the least).

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Uniforms of the era were indeed made from very heavy cloth. Mine is made of a more modern weight of material but still can be very warm...

[@CaribouDataScience]

When did the rifled barrel come into common practice?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

What do you mean by “common practice”

[@ftargr]

Thank you

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You're welcome

[@GermanHockey]

Any tips on where to acquire a 95th Rifles uniform?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

More details about that in Part 6 of the Kit Series.

[@AnvilAirsoftTV]

You’ll be competing with Hagman next! :)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hagman?..... Never heard of him... 🙂

[@seanhallahan3018]

If you ever tried looking into researching and making use of the Brunswick rifle use particularly during the opium wars

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I do not own one as of yet, one day.....

[@lisar3006]

Is your Baker an original or a built rifle. I saw two originals in a private collection that were is such good condition they looked like reproduction rifles. Great video.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I made mine from Rifle Shoppe parts.

[@lisar3006]

@@britishmuzzleloaders You did a great job. I was looking to build one a few years back but ended up building an 1816 flintlock for civil war reenacting because I got a deal on parts for it.

[@danielvaldez2203]

Nice to see you hilight mistakes like flinching. Does the lock time on the baker cause a hindrance compared to a cartridge gun?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The lock time is not bad on the Baker... all in the practice...

[@Montestuma]

Great video as usual, but that tree wont take much more before dying I'm afraid.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Tis mighty... it'll hold up just fine.

[@dorseypender270]

Do you own, ever owned, or, seen a Brown Bess conversion? (Converted from flint or percussion)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They are around, but typically an "after-the-fact" modification and not a service arm...

[@presidentlouis-napoleonbon8889]

I heard that using a steel ramrod frequently might deteriorate the quality of the rifling. How do you keep your rifling nice and sharp, but also use a steel ramrod? (I don't like loading with a separate plastic or wood ramrod, but the given steel, but I am sad if the rifle is harmed because of it.)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The danger with a metal ramrod is at the crown... be careful and there is no damage...

[@bolgerlake]

Hi, I was wondering if one of my fellow Canadians could help me? I have a northwest trade musket that takes 1" flints. I cannot find them in Canada, and shipping from the U.S. is very expensive. Where do other Canadians get their flints for a reasonable price?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I got my last ones form Track of the Wolf. You might try Loyalist Arms.

[@michaelknulle6924]

Well done as always seemed to me i could smell the burned black powder

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahaha!

[@cookingonthecheapcheap6921]

Curious. After the first test, did the shooters have a chance later on to improve their standing in the unit? Or was it a one chance and your stuck with it kind of thing? Great videos, it's funny. In Australia when it's snow there I'm jealous and when it's sunny I'm jealous lol. Because it always means is the opposite season here lol. Your videos do beg a question. I know the limitations of printing camouflage patterns back then, but why weren't there atleast more shades of green or khaki? I've seen alot of Napoleonic war gaming figurines and its like mardigras looking at the battlefield sometimes. I just feel over all it took entirely to long to give up the "the red trousers are France" attitude towards uniforms. I mean damn, I dont even agree the French blue of 1914 was suitable. Have fun, can't wait for the next one.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

HI there. The reason there were no camouflage patterns or earth tone clothes was that they weren't really needed... It's all about the context of Napoleonic warfare... As for Horizon Blue of the French, it was actually supposed to be a "national fabric" with red, blue and white threads which would have given a darker hue. As it was, there was a dearth of red dyed wool at the time and therefore they went ahead with a fabric made of just the white and blue, hence the lighter shade....

[@andygardner9219]

Black powder & ball!!! Let’s go!!!!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed!

[@briankerr4512]

That Green fluffy thing sticking up on the hat ... does that have any useful purpose ?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

All infantry wore a tuft of wool on their caps... Dark green was the colour of Light Infantry, part of which the "Rifles" were...

[@old_guard2431]

The loading effort seemed lighter than my impression of that required for a muzzle-loading rifle. There may have been an explanation that I missed. I am going on fictional narratives such as Cornwell’s. The point being that you may have not been getting the full effect of the barrel’s rifling.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The combination of ball and patch has been arrived at over many many trials and errors... it works just fine and was chosen for it's loading capabilities. In using a tighter combination (as shown in a number of earlier videos) there was absolutely no benefit....

[@ahall1459]

Was there any evidence of cleaning the bore between each shot? I have read that is what was done at long ranges... Or pre - made cartridges being used?...special patches, lube, and so on?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

No there was not. I bet you were reading about practices from the 1860s. Cheers.

[@wierdalien1]

Hey, thats not a regimental march thats the brass band arrangement of Toccata and Fugue played by a military band.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Sure, but nice none the less...

[@wierdalien1]

@@britishmuzzleloaders oh its amazing. I love that arrangement, played it a whole heck of a lot, in Brass bands, it was just a surprise was all

[@rodgeyd6728]

To become a chosen man, how were they chosen in the first place? . Did they volunteer for the 95th and upon passing the course excepted into the ranks or were the men chosen from the infantry to try ?.

[@wierdalien1]

Chosenman was a lance corporal equivalent

[@rodgeyd6728]

@@wierdalien1 Ah ! Ok , rephrase. How were men picked to be in the 95th?

[@adamsnook9542]

@@rodgeyd6728 Same as most men at the time - to avoid the hangman's noose, to escape poverty and hunger, because they got drunk and the recruiting sergeant tricked them... Elite regiments like the rifles could afford to be a bit more selective than most but at the same time there was a massive global war going on and even the 95th would have struggled to find enough recruits.

[@rodgeyd6728]

@@adamsnook9542 So it was just a case of enlist , pass the shooting test and qualify. If you couldn't pass the shooting tests , what happened? We're they just put into the infantry ranks!.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Chosen man was simply a "good" man, picked from the ranks to assist in leadership and administration.

[@tonysalecki]

Is your Baker a reproduction built rifle or an actual original? Was looking on line but only found one company that sells a kit

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I made it from Rifle Shoppe parts. Video coming out soon.

[@tonysalecki]

britishmuzzleloaders oh cool, rifle shops was what I found online. Look forward to your video

[@JosheyG34]

Tredeau didn't ban this assault rifle too?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yeah.

[@sfwh4543]

I wonder when they stopped using these practices for qualification? I wonder if this was still the standard when the Brunswick was adopted.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I haven't found a Brunswick specific practice yet, but am keeping my eye open...

[@TheRcfighterpilot]

Why such low rounds for practice? Currently US Army get a lot more than what we need for just our qual. Was the ammo cost that high?

[@creanero]

By the standards of most armies of the era, this was high. Some got fewer than 6 rounds per man per year.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The "low rounds for practice" were the same amount as the soldiers battle load.. put's that into perspective a bit...

[@kevinofishero]

Another fantastic video. Well done, keep up the good work and please invite me to have a go one day 😁😁😁🤟🏻

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahah! You get here, we'll get on with it!

[@ryuhadouken2722]

I wonder why the British didn’t convert the baker rifle into percussion and maybe bore it 577 caliber to save time and money. Could it have been a effective weapon in the era of percussion caps?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They didn't convert it because they introduced the Brunswick.

[@joeblow9657]

4:52 I detect a selfie stick. Where in the British army was that???

[@adamsnook9542]

That would be the stick, selfie, pattern 1865 which I think you'll find was standard issue during Kitchener's advance into the Sudan.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Maybe ask the question of where was the 4K camera came from before the stick.... :😀

[@joeblow9657]

@@britishmuzzleloaders You were using a 4K camera??? I thought you were using a camera with film and then digitizing it later. Well, my Lord indeed ;)

[@gertvanpeet3120]

What a difference to modern rifles! The belgium Fal... 2 inch out of center...at 110 yards... Normal for Everyday soldier. So these older rifles are not easy to master.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

No they are not. Cheers.

[@benlaskowski357]

I wonder if Major Sharpe would have liked or hated your skills. He probably would have had a few jokes to say. Sgt. Harper: "Send him to Ireland: we'd be free in a week." Too harsh?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha!

[@pablojn4826]

Congrats sir! top quality content as always ! its so good for the "conchatumare"! try to guess

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Looked it up and I can't see what that has to do with your point.

[@pablojn4826]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Its a Chilean expression in the south for something good, tho it can mean diferent things in other countries slang or context, but I used in a good meaning. I hope you didn't get it wrong, good day sir.

[@pablojn4826]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I have a question, about how did the Rifles march apart of that position use to protect the mechanism from the elements? with the Baker upside down, the rifles could have used the position of "on the shoulder" like the rest of the infantry? or anything else? greetings sir

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@pablojn4826 The Rifle was carried at the Trail commonly while actively engaged in the field. While on the march, it was carried in any position that was comfortable.. termed "Marching at Ease"

[@pablojn4826]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Thanks, by the way, I loved that Plunket reference of the first part, i don't know how do you make the intro of every video, not funny, but hilarious. My favorite ones was of the musketry of 1914, gotta love those Scots twins ...

[@killzoneisa]

Trying to be a Chosen Men takes time.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha!

[@moolightstarlight9223]

Baker rifle was .60 caliber?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Nominally .62....

[@moolightstarlight9223]

@@britishmuzzleloaders you should use conicals to improve your accuracy.

[@briankerr4512]

60 rounds a year ... must have been expensive. I wonder what the price is in today money.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

A few cents.....

[@smolkafilip]

Is it plausible that riflemen practiced with personally owned arms or privately bought ammo in their own time to achieve a higher level of skill as is common among the better shooters in various armed forces today?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

No, personal weapons were not an option.

[@smolkafilip]

@@britishmuzzleloaders So how did riflemen such as Plunket achieve their skill? Were they just so talented that they never needed significant amounts of ammo to overcome any issues? Did they enter service with preexisting skills from hunting? Because 60 rounds a year is not a lot. Just how much progress can a shooter really see from practicing with 6 shots per session maybe once a month or so? As a handgun shooter I can't imagine building up to an acceptable skill level on that regimen. Or was their high skill relative to their time when regular troops practiced actual shooting even less? As in, if everyone else barely even knows how to shoot straight, 60 rounds a year will make you pretty good compared to them?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@smolkafilip In the context of the era, 60 rounds was an enormous amount.... puts the capabilities of the men in a bit of perspective though... You can accomplish a lot, especially starting from zero, with 60 rounds... As mentioned in the video, the Line received much less per year...

[@Strato50]

....so did the tree eventually fall over after all this? :P

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It was mighty.... no.

[@adamgray9145]

Doesn't get better than Marching at 140 per minute playing "geordie"

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Interestingly, this was a 20th century invention....

[@JenniferinIllinois]

60 rounds allotted per year. That's like 30 seconds at the range nowadays. Hehehe...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Sure, but way more than most of the era.

[@brianfrakes2703]

Cut yer'self some slack Rob, you'd be hittin' about the same with a Mini-14...'cept the holes would be a bit smaller.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahah!

[@salty4496]

:)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers.

[@paulchandler9646]

Don't hunt with that rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Unless you are close.

[@paulchandler9646]

@@britishmuzzleloaders You would never get that close.