McGrath of Harlow - "Have you tried your local museum?" The "local" museum is the Maine Maritime Museum. It is a preeminent museum for seacraft but there's not much there (I know that without looking.) The nearest serious museum for this kind of thing is in Boston or perhaps Connecticut. There are a (very) few disadvatages to living in a remote area. This is one of them. It was a good idea though.Gervase - "Contact Shooting Times magazine" They apparently don't have a web site. All I found were sites selling subscriptions to the magazine. I am pursuing the suggestions for the three other makers.
Roger in Sheffield - "BBC antiques noticeboard" I left a message and will keep track of it's progress.
WYSIWYG - I don't have a picture of the rifle. Dad is terribly unsophisticated when it comes to modern technology and would have no idea how to get a picture on to the computer. BTW, he lives four hours north of me. Check out a map. Look at Bath, Maine, and then at Houlton, Maine. Then shiver with the imagined cold up there. There are reasons I live in SOUTHERN Maine. *BG*
SeanM and Wildlone - Thanks for the sites. They seem quite involved so I will hold them back for use if the easier lines of investigation don't pan out.
Jeri - Thanks for the site and the pictures.
Dave (the ancient mariner) - Yeah, it's pretty valuable. Dad estimates it at between $2000 and $5,000.
Wildlone and WYSIWYG - Thanks for checking around for me. Can't wait to hear the responses.
MarkS - "contact the National Rifle Association,(NRA)" Not bad but that is an avenue open to my father and I believe her tried it already. Of course he won't use a computer so he could still be waiting for the letter to reach them.
Uncle Jaque - Dad knows Dave Purinton pretty well. No news there until he gets back. You're right about the connection with Sharpe's Rifles. That Brunsick Rifling was what the British used in the Baker Rifles. The rifle has not been converted from flintlock.
I am pursuing several lines of investigation and will let you know the outcome.