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"