The Brunswick Rifle replaced the Baker Rifle in British service in 1837. This is a government produced example and has a tight fit of wood to metal, good edges, a medium tone to the brass patchbox, triggerguard and rammer thimbles, with blue turned plum mixing with pewter color to the metal, and crisp markings in both wood and metal. It rates about excellent for condition: the only fault we find in one small divot on the left rear of the wrist. Sights, rammer, sling swivel, bayonet bar, etc., are all in place. The patchbox cut-out is crisp. The right butt flat shows a very sharp broad arrow and very legible War Office round stamp just forward of the patch box. The barrel proofs are sharp at the left breech. The lock is crisply marked with a crown/V.R. at rear and 1864/Tower forward.

The Brunswick rifle uses a large bore, about .75 cal., with mechanical rifling: two deep grooves meant to take a belted round ball. This is fitted with a rear sight having a fixed notch for 200 yards and a leaf for 300, beyond the accurate range of any smoothbore, and were also fitted for a long sword bayonet for close combat if necessary. They were outmoded by the introduction of the Minie ball and although they showed promise with that ammunition up to 600 yards or so and privately made examples may show more conventional rifling and Enfield short rifle sights, but they were generally replaced by the P53 Enfield patterns.

Some of the earlier, 1837 and 1844, patterns ended up over here. (See, The British Connection.) Those made in 1864 and later were intended for issue in India. They are not to be confused with the famous haul of British and British-type arms found in Nepal, but were British government made and issued. In the wake of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, the government took over administration from the East India Company and the new issues of Brunswick rifles was intended for Sikh regiments perceived as more loyal, to give them an edge over other Indian troops, who would carry smoothbores, and still enable the government to hedge its bets by arming British troops with the P53 Enfield, which was superior to both.

The Brunswick plays a key role in the development of the military rifle. This one has condition and a rather interesting history behind it.    [sr] [ph:L]

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