Baker rifle recoiling and
showing body twist
This sequence shows the firing of a flintlock .625 calibre Baker rifle on Marple Rifle and Pistol Club's indoor range and the effects of recoil, especially that of 'body twist' caused by the recoiling gun turning, or twisting the shooters body to the right. Apart from the obvious rearwards and upwards motion, if you keep your eye on the muzzle of the rifle, you will see it move to the right and back left again. This motion is caused by the gun being supported on the right shoulder and twisting the shooters body on firing. This effect is present to some degree with all guns fired from one side of the body, both for rifle and pistol (and shotgun). If you concentrate on the lock area of the rifle, you will also see the effects of torque reaction as the gun rotates to the right (showing that this rifle has a left-hand twist to its rifling) and back again. Compare this sequence with that of the Pennsylvanian rifle and that of the Brown Bess musket on this website.
