Baker Batavia Leader
 

Well my birthday is Friday so I bought myself a present today. A Baker Batavia Leader 20 ga. 28" fluid steel barrels choked M & F, 6 1/2 lbs. 1 3/4" x 2 3/4" x 14 1/4". I would call the barrel blue 97% with some light freckling. The case colors are amazing and near 100%. Checkering is crisp. No cracks or repairs in the wood, finish is excellent. Butt plate and grip cap are in fine condition. The top lever is to the right of center. Some screws show evidence of being turned, some are not indexed like the one in the top lever. A small screw behind the right barrel looks like it is missing in a picture but it is there its just well recessed. The extractor works perfectly but has some play and wiggles left to right. From what I have read this is an H.D. Folsom era Baker with the 20ga being introduced in 1919. the serial number on this is in the 15000 range which I believe puts it at the end of production around 1929/30. I know that Baker's are not Parker quality but even so I was surprised to find it for not a whole lot more than an 870 Express. Now the long wait for the fall crow season is even more agonizing lol.

Pete, don't think I've ever seen you with anything smaller than a 12 ga!
Nice gun!

Well I have a couple of other 20's, a 26" Trojan and a Charles Daly Miruko O/U. I had a Stevens (pre Savage) and a refinished Trojan 20 that I traded towards other guns. Back when lead shot was legal I gave that Daly a workout shooting ducks in beaver ponds. Twenties are still good on crows but being a waterfowler the 10's and 12's are better choices.

Well Pete, you will not be thirty again:rotf:

xxxx

What a great gun in the condition category. There was another 20 in that sort of condition in GB a few months ago.
When you find them like that, you buy them. As long as the price isn’t ridiculous.

Beautiful gun!

when you find guns this nice you dont count on the name...i think you have a fine crow gun...charlie

Congratulations Pete, great find and great condition. Was that gun made for 2-1/2” or 2-3/4” shells?

2 1/2" chambers. I don't think it will be a problem, fired AA 20ga hulls measure 2 5/8"

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.