My 2nd Baker

[Chris Robenalt]

Can anyone help me grade this? Picked it up yesterday at our local gunshow before the doors opened.

Thx, Chris

[Joe Dreisch]

Grade should be on the action flat. My Paragon was P.E.S. (Paragon, Ejector, ?)

[Chris Robenalt]

I never knew that. Thx Joe!

Chris, AZ

[Dave Noreen]

Your gun is a Paragon. Whether it is marked on the watertable or not is a time frame thing. Paragon Krupp serial number 815 has very similar engraving and is not marked on the watertable.

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[Joe Dreisch]

Yes, mine was similarly engraved. I believe mine was marked 943 P.E.S.. Never knew what the S stood for....?

[Chris Robenalt]

I was kind of leaning that way Researcher. I was looking at an old black an white vintage ad. Mine is # 711.
Thx, Chris

[Jones Cahill]

Those dogs are beautifully done; Jos. Loy?

[Daryl Hallquist]

The gun in question is probably a Special Paragon . The bit of extra engraving at the front of the lockplate is a key. Usually the Special Paragon had a point pattern checkering while the Standard Paragon did not.

P.E.S. marked on the gun would be Paragon, Ejector, Steel [barrels]. Over the years, Baker marked grades on the guns, then discontinued that, and then later marked the grades again. P.K.E /nn would be Paragon, Krupp, Ejector, in model 1909. [a different mechanical design] L.E.S was L Grade, Ejector, Steel [for fluid steel barrels] One will see other combinations of the letter markings depending on Grade, ejectors, triggers, and barrel material.

Engraving on the guns shown above was done by Frank Mason, who really had a good feel for the dog engraving.

If you wish to know more about Baker Guns, Drew Hause saved the old BakerCollectors website to - http://www.bakercollectors.com/ When looking at the website and selecting something from the Table Of Contents, click on the Table Of Contents item, then click on it again when a new screen appears. Lots of information and photos.

[George Davis]

Chris, hope you'll show me your new Baker when I'm back in Phoenix in late February and early March. Looks like a excellent addition to your collection.

[Chris Robenalt]

Thx Daryl, that was very helpful! Ill explore the Baker sight.
Yes Scott, it will be here for you to see!

[Dave Noreen]

The Special Paragon seems to be a 1904 - 1905 thing. From the January 7, 1905, issue of The Sportsman's Review --

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From the April 1905 issue of The Baker Gun Quarterly --

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On the back page of the same issue they show this Special Paragon with very fancy checkering --

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The regular Paragon from that issue --

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By the February 1906 issue of The Baker Gunner the $75 gun with Krupp barrels is the N Grade.

[Chris Robenalt]

Researcher, my gun numbers #711. My gun has the same checkering as the one in the first two pics. Its faint, but now ill be able to bring it back from seeing the pics. I appreciate your help.

Chris, AZ