Page 195 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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Guard-retaining screw
100-yard sight
Cup end fitted around the ball
▶ RAMROD
The steel rod was used
to ram the charge and
projectile into the barrel.
Brass hilt Viewing mark
Straight blade for hacking
and thrusting
▲ SWORD BAYONET
The Baker rifle was supplied with a sword bayonet that could
be used alone or mounted on the rifle. At 24in (61cm) long it
was unwieldy, but it was necessary to compensate for the rifle
being so much shorter than other weapons in use at the time.
200-yard sight Barrel-retaining key “Ramrod pipe”—tubular
housing for ramrod
◀ PAPER-WRAPPED CARTRIDGE
This contained a charge of powder and a lead ball.
To load a shot, the rifleman tore it open with his teeth,
leaving the ball in the paper. He poured a small portion
of the charge into the pan and the rest down the muzzle,
and rammed the paper down the barrel with the ramrod
to form a wad. He then rammed the ball down on top,
wrapped in a patch taken from the patchbox.
Gunpowder Lead ball
wrapped in paper wrapped in paper
Sling could be used to
steady the aim (see box)