The London Proof Marks could have been applied at any time during the early Breechloading period so don’t greatly assist in dating the gun.
It would be interesting to establish when .410 centrefire shotgun cartridges were first made.
According to Wikipedia, referencing W. Harding “Eley Cartridges” - Lancaster pattern pinfire and centrefire .410 cartridges first appeared in Eley Brothers Ltd. flysheets in 1857. By 1874, Eley were advertising modern centerfire 410 cartridges.
The action style of your gun is similar to many early rook rifles.
F.T. Baker succeeded to the business of Thomas Kerslake Baker in 1858, died 1887, but the business of F.T. Baker continued until 1916 having been acquired by Westley Richards in 1913.
Last edited by Parabola; 11/15/24 04:20 PM.
