This incredible rifle's heavy Damascus barrel has a dovetailed post front sight, five-leaf "express" rear sight, "London" in script on top of the breech ahead of silver inlays and shell and scroll engraving, and London proof and view marks on the underside at the breech. The breechplug is also silver banded and has a silver vent liner and "W. PARKER/PATENT" signed on top. The rifling measures approximately 1.23 inches across the lands and 1.30 inches in the grooves which places it as larger than 3 bore (1.157) and slightly under 2 bore (1.325). The lock features a rain-proof priming pan, frizzen spring roller, and "London" signed at the center. The steel mounts feature scroll, foliate, martial trophy and border engraving. The highly figured maple stock has a checkered wrist and 15 1/8 inch length of pull. The rifle comes with a case containing the percussion hammer and nipple bolster that replaces the cock and frizzen to allow it to be used with percussion caps along with a massive punch and several other accessories. The mold is absent. The barrel fits into the case, but the stock will not. An included copy of a letter from W. Keith Neal to Norman R. Blank on October 8, 1962, discusses meeting up in San Antonio and discusses firearms Neal wanted to offer Blank, including the double rifle in Lot 3307, and "a two bore flintlock sporting rifle!!!!! It is made in London like a fine quality sporting rifle and is complete in its case with most fittings including the enormous two bore mould. I can just hold it long enough to sight it. It must be the flint-lock edition of Sir Samuel Baker's rifle 'The Baby'. It could even be his rifle as it has alternative percussion ignition...But it has hardly been used so I don't think it is The Baby." Sir Samuel Baker's "Baby" rifle is actually a four bore in diameter although Baker wrote of it as a percussion rifle firing a "half-pound percussion shell" which has long caused it to be attributed as a two bore rifle. The indomitable hunter and explorer wrote that he was actually afraid to fire "Baby" but that when he did, the rifle was always fatal. Imagine what he would have thought of this monster! It appears to have never been fired and is believed to have been purchased by Neal from the Maharaja of Jodhpur who had an incredible arms collection. Provenance: The Collection of the Maharaja of Jodhpur; W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine with a mix of 20% original finish and dark brown patina overall, aged patina on the silver bands and inlays, minor oxidation and pitting, and general mild age and storage related wear. The partially restored stock has beautiful flame figure, some chips and cracks, repairs, crisp checkering, and mild marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is poor and has deep staining, a replaced lid plaque inscribed "36", cracks, and other heavy storage wear. Most of the accessories are good with mild age and storage related wear. This is certainly an impressive and imposing rifle.