couldn't wait
 

checked bore dia. on my new to me lifter 10 ga. both bores .802. choked left .034, right .030. than i had to shoot it the stock has a slight crack but "one shot wouldn't hurt" so i loaded a 7/8th oz load of 8's with 15 grs 700-x and shot it at a 30 in target and got 94% pattern with it :shock: got to love the 10 . now off to repair shop and i will have it for spring turkey season i hope.:corn: scott

that old ten shoots like a rifle... charlie

Scott...Scott....:nono:

Scott, that certainly is a light load! I have been using an ounce of 7-1/2 in my Baker 10, which is choked full and full, and also get some deadly long range patterns. I can't wait to try them in my new 10, which is choked .049" in both barrels. Enjoy!

Hey Chief,

At the risk of getting yelled at for asking a non-Parker question what kind of Baker do you have. Back in my gun trading days all my friends thought I should own every old Baker they came across, ended up with 4 total. Batavia Leaders in 20 & 16ga, a Batavia Brush Gun in 12 and a 1897 hammer gun in 12ga with 32" barrels with fantastic twist pattern.

I have an 1893 vintage 'New Baker' hammer gun with the trigger plate action. It is odd looking, but very robust. I believe it was the same as the later 1896 Model. Your 1897 is a sidelock, isn't it?

Yes though similar hammers. Its one of 3 hammer guns that've been disassembled in bins on my bench for at least 4 years. Too many projects, not enough time. I put it together for these photos and remembered why it was apart. Broken top lever spring and right trigger bar spring. Check out those beefy muzzles! Bakers aren't as glamorous as Parkers but very simple and well made. Love that barrel pattern. Congrats on your new Parker, looks like a good one. My only 10ga is an 1878 Colt about a grade 3 I think.

i believe those are about the beefest barrels ive seen...now yall got me wanting a baker.... charlie

Charlie, No need to cross over to the"Dark Side":). Brothers Parker built some hefty barrels as well. This is an 1887 10ga, barrels still weight 5Lbs 8Oz and the thin spot measures .055.

Unfortunately (for my bank account) I'm not so particular. I like them big, I like them small, if they have hammers, I like them all! Big: 1878 Colt 10ga. Small: William Powell & Son, Best Grade, Bar-In-Wood, 20 bore.