that engraving is unreal...I just don't know how they were so good....I would not mind having one of those nicely engraved guns....charlie

Even though the company name on their letterheads was Baker Gun & Forging Co.

Attachment 91965

The name on all the hammerless guns I've ever seen is Baker Gun Co. From this very early A-Grade one-pin gun onwards --

Attachment 91964

Attachment 91963

to this very late Batavia made Paragon --

Attachment 91966

My Paragon is a nicely made gun. It seems in between a GH and DHE in engraving coverage and wood quality, pretty close to an E Lefever. Certain Paragons have that engraving that is to my eye, the best among mid-grade guns. The dogs have vitality, the birds look alert and real. The metal finish and fit is equal to my other three mid-grade guns, two Parkers and a Lefever, the Lefever has fancier, detailed file work on the frame. The earlier Bakers like mine seem pretty basic in mech. design, the lock up is like a Stevens 311, a slot on the rib ext. and a cam on each side of the lump that engages the frame. Later ones are said to have a Greener crossbolt, I originally was looking for one of those. They cock a little stiffer compared to my other extractor guns. I can't speak to longevity or being prone to breakage or not. The fluid steel ones like mine have Krupp barrels. Mine works fine, is tight and smooth. I consider it my best made gun due to the beautiful engraving, and certain aspects like the grip cap and forend tip treatment. There are other nice models besides the Paragon like the Special Paragon, A, B, N, R and S. Models are confusing, so read up on the website that was linked to. Paragons don't sell very fast, but aren't listed too often either. I looked for a couple years for a fair deal and the one I bought was listed a long time before I bought it. Later ones have blued frames, not case colored by the way. Here are a couple current listings you may have seen already, pricing is pretty robust, so these are probably just to look at--
This is a late one, might have the Greener crossbolt: https://www.gunsamerica.com/98479387...DELOCK-16G.htm And an earlier one: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/884656731

An interesting leaflet from the Folsom era

Anyone have a picture of a De Luxe or Expert?

Is the Single Barrel Trap Grade offering above part of the double barrel gun catalog? Any hint as to the date of either ?

Jeffery C, here's a Folsom produced De Luxe , engraved by Kornbrath.

https://i.imgur.com/HMKYZkT.jpg

I have a very similar folder in my accumulation of Baker stuff. Mine has different prices and is marked Wm. Stein Company.

Attachment 92309

Attachment 92310

I also have a falling apart little 12-page color H & D Folsom Arms Co. booklet of their Baker Guns that has the same prices as Ken's folder. It only offers the doubles in 12- and 16-gauge. Page 8 is a foldout of the De LUXE GRADE --

Attachment 92311

with the Superba Grade SBT on the other side.

Attachment 92312

By these later style Baker catalogs the 20-gauge is included --

Attachment 92313

Will always wonder about these 1928 magazine ad that show the Batavia Leader coming in .410?!?

Attachment 92314

Dave, thanks. I did see a Baker 410 for sale some years ago. I think Turnbull had it, but the profile shown was a Crescent configuration, not a Baker one. I was not able to get additional info on it.