Baker Paragon

[Researcher]

Guns by the Baker Gun & Forging Co. don't come with the consistency of Parker Bros. BG&FCo. went through several management upheavals and it seems like every new issue of The Baker Gun Quarterly or later The Baker Gunner, newspapers that served as the companies catalogs to at least 1909, the offerings changed slightly. The original Paragon with the "draw-block" wings on the barrel lug that fit into recesses in the frame and had simple wedge bolting in the rib extension, was essentially a slightly nicer version of the A- and B-grades. From the May 1903 issue of The Baker Gun Quarterly --

Paragon Grade, May 1903, The Baker Gun Quarterly 01.jpeg

Paragon Grade, May 1903, The Baker Gun Quarterly 02.jpeg

These Paragons that I have recorded have three-digit serial numbers. A bit later they called the Paragon the P-Grade and the Paragon Krupp the N-Grade and these I've recorded are in the 10xx serial number range.

For 1909 they added a new Paragon Model Nineteen Nine which dropped the "draw-block" but added "roller cocking" and a vertical rotary bolt. From the 1911 pocket catalog --

Page 8.jpeg

These I've recorded have 11xx serial numbers.

The next BF&GCo. catalog I have is circa 1915 and the Paragon now had a Greener cross-bolt --

Paragon Grade 1915 Catalog 01.jpeg

Paragon Grade 1915 Catalog 02.jpeg

These Paragon versions that I've recorded have serial numbers in the 201xxx and these roll on into the H & D Folsom Bakers after 1919 with an F after the serial number.

[Daryl Hallquist]

Researcher has a good description of the Paragons of different periods. The Paragon types related to the 1915 catalog show up in various serial no. ranges. I have seen them in the 38,000, 42,000, 48,000, and 51,000 ranges. In general , when Folsom started making the Paragons, most were in the 201,000 range, although I remember seeing one in the 6000 range. The Folsom made Paragon serial numbers usually contained an F.

[Researcher]

Looking through my files I found a 20-gauge H & D Folsom Paragon with a four-digit serial number --

2266 F 01 Paragon Ejector 20-auge.jpg

2266 F 02.jpg

Here is a 16-gauge in the 201xxx range --

201126F 01 16-gauge, 28-inch, Paragon Ejector.jpg

201126F 07.jpg

Here is one of the three I've saved pictures of without an F that I figured were from the Baker Gun & Forging Co. in Batavia, NY --

201116 01 Paragon Ejector.jpg

[Daryl Hallquist]

I guess we will never know what unfinished gun, and in what state of finish, went from Baker Gun and Forging Co. to Folsom in 1919. It seems that there were several single traps from Baker Gun and Forging that were finished up, or at least advertised for sale, until around 1923. I have one trap gun in the late 51,000 range that is engraved as an Elite model, but has no company name anywhere.

[Researcher]

The more I look through pictures I've saved the more confusing it becomes. I've found a Black Beauty, a Paragon Ejector and an Elite SBT all with 48xxx serial numbers.

[Daryl Hallquist]

Researcher, yes, the serial numbers from around 1913-1919 are confusing. The 48,000 range can include anything from Batavia Leaders, Black Beautys, Black Beauty Specials, Paragons, Single traps, and De Luxes. I have never seen an Expert Grade, except in the 1100 range. Early on, Baker serial numbered their various grades into blocks of numbers. After 1913 they seemingly abandoned that practice and used a mix of numbers to include all models.

[Boltaction]

Would those of you knowledgable in these shotguns consider the later Folsom 200000F SN range Paragons to be the same quality as the earlier Baker production pieces? I have read a number of posts commenting that quality seemed to be lower once Baker was sold to Folsom; did that translate to the higher grade guns as well?

Ed

[Daryl Hallquist]

In general, the Baker Gun and Forging Co. Paragons exhibited better fit and finish than the Folsom Paragons .

[Boltaction]

Originally Posted by Daryl Hallquist

In general, the Baker Gun and Forging Co. Paragons exhibited better fit and finish than the Folsom Paragons .

Thanks. I have run across a very nice Baker gun Co Paragon with serial number in the 20000F range, so definitely a Folsom. Asking is $4000 CAD which is about $2900-$3000 USD, although that might be negotiable since it has been sitting for a while. I will have an opportunity to look at it in person next month if it is still available, but haven't seen an earlier Baker Paragon with which to compare it.

Ed

[Daryl Hallquist]

You can see examples of other Paragons in this website.

https://www.bakercollectors.com/