Baker Gun and Forge Batavia NY 12 Gauge R Grade Damascus
 

Thought you might enjoy seeing my recent acquisition and hearing the story that goes with it.

It is a very nice clean and original 12 gauge Baker Gun and Forge R Grade with 30” Full and Mod Damascus barrels. Gun was made around 1910 in Batavia NY.

I was looking to acquire a nice representative Baker from Batavia. Have seen many nice ones over the years but never pulled the trigger to get a nice one til now.

I got this gun from Darly Hallquist, long time Baker enthusiast from Montana who helped me in the process. Daryl had several nice selections but this R grade was the one.

Especially when Daryl told me it was once owned by my old good friend here in upstate NY, Jim Howland. Jim pretty much consigned all his guns and catalogs to Greg Martin Auctions back in 2007 before he died. Jim was part of the local double gun fan club back then and many years earlier including: Dan Teall, Fred Kubissa and Jerry Bowe who have all passed away.

Myself and current PGCA member Craig Budgeon are what’s left of the old gang. The Batzold brothers, John and Al are still here too.

This Baker will eventually be going to my younger son, Matt Jolliff who lives with his wife Jessica and son Oliver in Batavia. Matt has a keen interest in all things Genesee County and especially Batavia. He has a Wiard plow in his front yard that was made by the Wiard Plow Company there in Batavia at about the same time as this Baker.

Good on you, Bill, that is a beauty. I adore the patina.

What a great thing, to be able to have such a nice gun built just down the road aways! Lucky Matt.

Bill, what a great gun and story. Thanks for posting.

Nice pick-up Bill, and great story. Your son Matt is one lucky guy. I always liked Bakers, I think their engravers were top notch and IMHO the dogs are among the most realistic in the vintage gun era.

Very nice gun Bill - thanks for sharing! BTW, I had some brief but rewarding dealings with the Batzold brothers years ago at the Albany gun show. They made the trip up worthwhile.

In case someone is unaware of Daryl's website
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...aP35Y6PMk/edit

Very nice Bill ! Don’t think I’ve ever owned a Baker . But s match to yours in 10 gauge might tickle my fancy .

I’m curious , was the largest Baker a 10 gauge or did they make a couple 8’s as well ? I’d be intrested to see a Baker drilling in 10-10 / 45-70 as well.

Super nice shotgun!

Craig,

Baker did make a 10 gauge. I don't think they ever made an 8 gauge.

Wouldn't that be neat?

The Baker Gun & Forging Co. Model 1897 hammer guns --

Attachment 121194

Attachment 121193

and the early hammerless guns -- A & B Grades and the Paragon Grade were offered in 10-, 12- & 16-gauges.

Attachment 121188

Attachment 121187

The new R Grade, introduced in 1906, was only offered in 12- and 16-gauge -- from the February 1906, The Baker Gunner --

Attachment 121190

but the S-Grade introduced at the same time also in 10-gauge --

Attachment 121189

For 1907 the R-Grade got the engraving of Jolly's new toy --

Attachment 121191

Attachment 121192

What a beautiful gun Bill, and a wonderful heirloom.

Very nice for your first Baker. If you could bring it to Ernie's this year I'd love to fondle it. Great story Bill.

Bill, I am so glad you like your gun. It is the best R Grade Damascus I have found in 50 years. For others, I am downsizing and have several Bakers available, including 16, 20, 12, and 10 gauges. Also have drillings by W H Baker, W H Baker and Co., and L C Smith Maker. Thank you, Drew, for salvaging my website. When one clicks on the Index , you need to click on the subject, then click again . Lots of information. Darylh1942@gmail.com

It Shoots Fine
 

Daryl and others,

I took the old girl out this afternoon and shot a round of Skeet with it. I used my 1/2 ounce low pressure (5500 psi) loads.

Jim DeMunck was with me and he shot it also. He likes shooting low house from station #7 and waits til the bird gets over to the high house and then shoots. Breaks the bird most of the time with his 5/8 ounce loads from the left Full choked barrel.

The gun performed flawlessly.

Nice to have the gun back where it started life from.

Call me a Happy Camper/Customer.

Neat gun Bill you don't often see Barker's in nice condition, congratulations!! Say hello Jim next time you see him.

Damascus Type?
 

Pictured below is a picture of the barrel flats of the R grade Baker with damascus barrels that I got from Daryl H. discussed above.

Note the C'C in an oval or are those a partial D'D in an oval? Forward of that is an "E"

I'm hoping Dr. Drew can offer his expertise on these barrels. (Thanks Drew.)

Baker not Barker
 

Craig, Baker made about 175,000 guns with a relatively small percentage in the higher grades. I have owned maybe 150 over the years, keeping the best and most interesting . Really good condition guns do exist.

Bill: The barrels are 3 Iron and that is actually the 'JJ' mark of Joseph Juleinond of Nessonvaux which we've found on other R grade guns.

Scroll down about 2/3 here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...66tEXntqw/edit

I've got a Juleinond salesman's sample here toward the bottom
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...sIjmr8uy8/edit

I think it is J.J. in the oval. You are right we need Dr. Drew for this question.

WOW! Great stuff Drew.

Many thanks for your expertise.