Jim Baker's Sharps Rifle
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:46 am
Most of us have probably heard of Jim Baker, the mountain man. He was born in December, 1818, headed west at the age of 20 years, and attended the Green River rendezvous in 1839. He spent the rest of his long life in the mountains as a trapper, hunter, scout, and guide. He knew all the notables of the time and place. There is a very good account of his life in the April, 2009, Volume 99 Bulletin of the American Society of Arms Collectors. You can access it online here: https://americansocietyofarmscollectors ... en-Man.pdf
That link will open a PDF file, but as far as I know it is safe. My computer had no issues with it.
Obviously, Mr. Baker started out shooting muzzleloaders. He was gifted a Spencer, but shortly after receiving it, he experienced the accidental detonation of an apparently full magazine tube, which was in the rifle's buttstock. Jim sustained some pretty serious injuries from this and he was scarred for life. Moreover, he swore off repeaters for good.
However, by 1879, he did have a Sharps. This rifle is still in existence, now in possession of the Little Snake River Museum in Savery, Wyoming. I am unable to post pictures on this forum, but the museum has a few photos on their web and Facebook pages.
I don't know how to contact the editors of the Black Powder Cartridge News, but if any of them are reading this, I think it would be great if Mr. Baker's Sharps could be examined, photographed, and written up by a professional for publication in that journal. I think it would make an interesting article, and I would like to know if it is the same rifle referenced in the ASAC bulletin mentioned above. This rifle does have some unusual features... It was evidently rebored and rechambered at some point, and the wood forend was replaced by a forend of elk horn, fashioned by its owner.
Just a suggestion, well intentioned. I enjoy every issue of the Blackpowder Cartridge News, but an article about the Jim Baker Sharps would be a real treat.
Best regards,
Notchy Bob
That link will open a PDF file, but as far as I know it is safe. My computer had no issues with it.
Obviously, Mr. Baker started out shooting muzzleloaders. He was gifted a Spencer, but shortly after receiving it, he experienced the accidental detonation of an apparently full magazine tube, which was in the rifle's buttstock. Jim sustained some pretty serious injuries from this and he was scarred for life. Moreover, he swore off repeaters for good.
However, by 1879, he did have a Sharps. This rifle is still in existence, now in possession of the Little Snake River Museum in Savery, Wyoming. I am unable to post pictures on this forum, but the museum has a few photos on their web and Facebook pages.
I don't know how to contact the editors of the Black Powder Cartridge News, but if any of them are reading this, I think it would be great if Mr. Baker's Sharps could be examined, photographed, and written up by a professional for publication in that journal. I think it would make an interesting article, and I would like to know if it is the same rifle referenced in the ASAC bulletin mentioned above. This rifle does have some unusual features... It was evidently rebored and rechambered at some point, and the wood forend was replaced by a forend of elk horn, fashioned by its owner.
Just a suggestion, well intentioned. I enjoy every issue of the Blackpowder Cartridge News, but an article about the Jim Baker Sharps would be a real treat.
Best regards,
Notchy Bob