Weapons of War: the Baker Rifle

A decisive weapon during the Peninsular War, the Baker rifle gave the British a clear edge on the battlefield.

The rifled barrel allowed greater accuracy, although at a slower reload rate, but riflemen of the 95th and 60th regiments boasted "one shot, one kill."

Designed by Ezekiel Baker, the rifle could score nine out of 12 shots at a target from 200 metres.

Its short, 30-inch barrel also gave riflemen the choice of loading the weapon while lying down.

The French general Auguste Colbert was killed by a shot through the head - fired by a British rifleman lying on his back.