Wow!! Can we say "Closet Queen!!"

Nice gun, great birthday present! Happy Birthday!

I was in a shop a few weeks back and seen this Baker Batavia hammer gun .
The outward appearance looks rough but the gun still locked up like new and the bores had minimal pitting . I didnt get it but I always like seeing the Baker guns . It was pretty small I thought it was a 16 ga .

Pete, go to Alliants reloading site and check out the 3/4 and 7/8 oz loads using 14.5-15.5 grains of 20/28 using claybuster wads. 1200 fps and pressures in the 7000's. Sweet shooting 20 ga load in a AA.
I wouldn't worry about 2 1/2" shells in that gun either.

That is a Model 1897 Hammer Gun, a real Baker, with the transverse "drawblock" on the barrel lug, not the low priced line "Batavia."

Attachment 82931

Attachment 82932

Long ago at one of the Vintage Cups at Sandanona, Ivory Beads had a screaming high condition 16-gauge Model 1897 I've always kicked myself for not buying.

I bought that gun Brian, it is really nice, but not as nice as this gun.

I literally just got back from meeting Scott and pattern testing the Baker 20. Scott measured the chokes and they are R .011 and L .017 with a long taper. I shot a 3/4 ounce load of lead #6 pushed along with Green Dot. Instead of opening a new bag of shot I used some copper coated 6 that I had on hand. The results in a 30" circle at 40 yards was R 53% and L 61%. So the gun seems to be a 28" IC/M by pattern. In the future I may try a 7/8 ounce using Unique.

Pete, what's not to like about that Baker and 20 ga to! My now deceased cousin inherited his dad's Parker 12 ga and his Baker 16 ga. My cousin preferred hunting upland birds with the Baker. His son now has it and would not trade or sell it for the world. Good sturdy sxs and well made. congrats

Hope I get to see that gun at Hausmans, good Lord willing.

I remember that one being nicer. But it was a while ago.