Apologize Mr. Romig, had to go back in courtroom. Yes, .410. Jbrown

I have a 1906 William Read & Sons catalog that gives the actual net selling prices instead of the much higher "list prices" that the companies put in their retail catalogs. Unfortunately it doesn't give L.C. Smiths in the higher grades. What I can produce --

Remington CEO-Grade..................$95.00
Parker Bros. Quality DHE...............$93.75
Lefever Arms Quality DE................$98.00
L.C. Smith Quality 3E....................$90.00

No Fox, Ithaca or Baker in the $90 price range.

Thanks! Does it show where the Baker Paragon falls? Below that price level?

Here is an LC Smith Quality 3

Here is a list of pricing for most doubles I have.

Thanks! That is a useful chart, it seems like there is a lack of direct crossover between brands in a lot of cases.

The chart is a fun item. The first one was developed by Don Hardin in the 1972 American Rifleman. Researcher is right. List prices, selling prices, selling prices for cash, and year often produced different prices for the same models. Don Hardin recently passed away and his article comparing various makers started it all for me.

Frank Mason was the Baker factory engraver for a decade or more, ending in about 1910. As has been pointed out, his dog work was very fine. The Paragon picture at the beginning of this thread is actually a Special Paragon. This was a Grade introduced in the early 1900s which was a step above a Paragon.

Thx for jumping in Daryl...

Is the Special Paragon marked as such? And what hallmarks distinguish it? Two dogs per side?

NDG

No, during the period of the Special Paragon the high grade guns were not marked as to grade. The Special Paragon had differences from the Paragon according to the catalogs and advertisements. The Special Paragon had a point pattern checkering, the single animal on the front end of the sideplate, the Baker name on the frame below the front end of the sideplate and a bit more engraving compared to Paragons of the same period. Wood on the Special Paragon was said to be an upgrade, but it is hard to distinguish wood quality between the grades. All , of course, were European walnut. Later, in the 700 or 800 serial number range, Baker again started marking the grade on the gun. Not sure why this change went either way.

Attached is a De Luxe quality gun, signed by Frank Mason.

https://i.imgur.com/b5QAm9C.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fQDe21x.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6FaS3Qr.jpg

wow...wow wow.....charlie