Butcher- BAKER- Candlestick maker?

Old and Reliable · 10-25-2011, 06:39 PM

At the area gun show we attended this past Sun- besides the 1940's 16 and 10 gauge paper shotshells, I also bought a Mint ed. of the 1989 No 80 Shooter's Bible-- with the three H&H doubles on cover- This is a great find for me anyway, as it has the fifty years ago- World's fair Issue of the Bible (Stoeger's that is) reprinted- Parker VHE Skeet guns at $168.45, LC Smith Crown Grade at $292.50-- and also a four page article on Baker guns-

Is there a Baker collectors website? Also a great article by Southern writer Jim Casada on British side-by-sides-- If you should come across this edition in your travels- and it is priced right, I'd suggest buying it. I have only seen two Baker side-bys in my lifetime--scarce as hen's teeth perhaps??

Jack Kuzepski · 10-25-2011, 08:48 PM

There is a Baker collectors website it is: www.bakercollectors.com. It is run by Dr. Bob Decker who also runs www.lefevercollectors.com and is the great grandson (I think) of Uncle Dan Lefever.

Jack Kuzepski

Roundsworth · 10-28-2011, 10:12 PM

Francis, information on Baker guns seems sketchy. Your 4 page article would probably be the motherlode of info compared to what I have found! I managed to narrow down the manufacture date of my Baker 10 gauge to 1893, compliments of Daryl Hallquist, who is a major contributor to the L.C. Smith and Baker fraternities. My 'New Baker' was a budget priced gun, $30.00 in 1893, but is very well made. The Baker company made no apologies for the lack of fine polishing and fit like their higher priced models. Mine is used, but not abused. It was well maintained and shows lots of twist pattern, with a bit of wear at the muzzles. It is heavy, and falls between the Parker 3 and 4 frames in size.

Old and Reliable · 10-28-2011, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Landskov

Francis, information on Baker guns seems sketchy. Your 4 page article would probably be the motherlode of info compared to what I have found! I managed to narrow down the manufacture date of my Baker 10 gauge to 1893, compliments of Daryl Hallquist, who is a major contributor to the L.C. Smith and Baker fraternities. My 'New Baker' was a budget priced gun, $30.00 in 1893, but is very well made. The Baker company made no apologies for the lack of fine polishing and fit like their higher priced models. Mine is used, but not abused. It was well maintained and shows lots of twist pattern, with a bit of wear at the muzzles. It is heavy, and falls between the Parker 3 and 4 frames in size.

Mark- if you'd care to send me a PM on the PGCA and give me a mailing address, I can get copies made of that article and send them your way. One of the two only in my lifetime Baker guns I have seen was at the Lapeer, MI shoot- Mark Oulette had one on his display table- I forget which grade- believe it was a 12 bore--and thanks for your service to Our Country- two "biggies" coming up soon- USN and my USMC dating to 1775 or before- so on 10/Nov/ we "Jarheads" celebrate that, and next day is 11/Nov- Veterans Day-- we all owe so much to All our Veterans, no matter in which branch of the Military they served.

Roundsworth · 10-28-2011, 11:13 PM

Francis, PM sent. Here are some photos taken by the fellow I bought the gun from. It was in nice shape, but I did some 'detailing' anyway!

Roundsworth · 10-28-2011, 11:18 PM

Here are some photos of my stock repairs. I wonder how many short 'Super X' loads were to blame for, or contributed to, the numerous splits! The screw holes were punky from oil, so I drilled out the bad wood and filled the holes with Acra Glas. The proper sized drill bit made for a snug fit with the original screws in the Acra Glas. There is a large 'U' made from a coathanger imbedded in the head of the stock. My one ounce grouse loads should be easy on the wood. Cheers!

charlie cleveland · 10-28-2011, 11:34 PM

mighty thick looking barrels on the business end..should be able to handle some stout turkey loads or duck and goose..... charlie

TARNATION !!! · 10-29-2011, 03:17 AM

But still, thanks to a certain contagious virus picked up here, I'm looking at it. Barrels cut to 24". Checked with the Baker guys and to their knowledge no 24" guns came out of the factory.

Roundsworth · 10-29-2011, 07:13 AM

Nice looking gun, Jack! What model is it? I have a chart for serial numbers and dates of manufacture. Charlie, the bores are near mint, also. The full chokes deliver some awesome patterns at 40+ yards with my one ounce loads. I really wanted a 10 bore hammer gun, but prices for most of them frightened me. I stumbled across this one on the Doublegunshop forum.

TARNATION !!! · 10-29-2011, 12:53 PM

From the Baker guys, based on the pics. Not mine yet.

Quote:

Jack, the gun looks like an A Grade. The A [Damascus barrels] and B [twist
barrels] were the first Baker Hammerless guns. Yours is a later gun,
probably 1905, give or take a couple of years. I have never seen a 24"
factory barreled gun. Daryl