[Big Mike]

Hey folks. I am doing research for a family member on a rifle acquired @ 40 years ago from Afghanistan. Here is what I know; The right side of the action says "Wilkinson" and just forward of the flint latch is a roll mark "1805." I understand it to originally be from the Kaybre Mountain area. The current theory is that it is a British Rifle taken from a dead British soldier, and "re-stocked" to be able to be fired from a saddle, or so the story went. I have no idea. Any help would be appreciated, as I know of nowhere to get started. Other than personal value, is there a dollar value to this? Below are pics, thanks, Mike.

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0WADRAkcbVtTKskvU4fN8gM7c1HQ**52dMHejLtz*itVNwuvCWt84G6MTeou*fCKJrjH9!H3zzJydqzbcEp97lwml6dCG2AyYzP5DgRTZciLVQD3CVqtw0BtZ!IwURjQLcwAAAP****8/Wilkinson%20Roll%20Mark.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQDVAiUU16e6GeCimekeNbaQpKaG15rNSiBI!iFE0P5FhP7e3JQzQqT!2Lq89ffkSpqPESVeVISHgB3YU*l0jUA5cFFeO0Ik2EFie2Ps0Bg/1805.JPG

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VgDZAjMaunRLGq34cDgt!px3iChqH1jw7rRB29vIdEM1NgKYCv*Mf262*f!fXEEmgWoKnQIrcrocSMS2d0BhDTGvAPa3QcsP44LA5BOFQ8EFGbKauPaiDrLBEIwqUejm/Left%20Baker%20Action.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RgAAAFsVkfj5DRDFyA2Yn8qFije02AYvtYB8LuGAwXFGcbC4Qoem1YROhcvl9xgYRz1GH1i2hLxwc*BctBr4buz6PlkBevqSEKSgbDLVTj4/Stock.JPG

[Kaylee]

well that's darn cool!

off to black powder...

[4v50 Gary]

Can you do a close up of the lock itself? Please throw plenty of light on it as it has a dark patina.

Afghan/Pakistan gunsmiths, like their American counterparts, were quick to recycle parts as it was much easier to restock a gun than to build parts from scratch. Locks were also exported by lockmakers for overseas gunsmiths so yours could be from salvaged parts or installed as new.

As to Wilkinson, I couldn't find any reference to a lockmaker or gunmaker of that name. The lock though with its round face and swan neck cock does indeed appear to be from the Pattern 1823 rifle (Post-Napoleonic Baker).

[Andrew Wyatt]

there was a wilkinson sword company that was the lightfighter if its day, supplying stuff to officers on their own dime.

[Mike Irwin]

Need to see the barrel, too, but I'd bet that the only thing British about that gun is the lock.

[4v50 Gary]

Would have to agree with Mike on the barrel. That rear sight appears to be integral with the tang and if the Baker was one that had rear sights, it was on the barrel.