W.W.Baker info

dickgal57

February 05, 2003 13:28

I own a W W baker 12 guage damascusin great condition srial #426 pat. date 1875 I am looking for any info possible .I believe the pat. was purchased by Winchester and durring testing they found a problem with the breach lock {the breach opens by pushing the front trigger forward} .Thanks for any help at all.dickgal57@hotmail.com

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  Black_Guns

  February 05, 2003 15:13

  Actually it should be W.H. Baker, who made shotguns from 1878-1883. In 1880 LC Smith bought out the Baker Co and guns were marked as such. In 1888 the Hunter Brothers acquired LC Smith and began making the 'New Baker Gun'.
  
  Winchester, on the other hand, was busily importing double guns from England. They did not manufacture a double gun in-house until 1882 (using imported barrels) but did not make very many. In late 1882, Winchester and Colt reached an agreement whereby Colt would manufacture double shotguns and Winchester would manufacture rifles and cartridges. So we have the wonderful Colt double shotguns of the period.
  
  To further complicate the issue, many stateside dealers imported guns (mainly from Belgium) under tradenames designed to fool the uninformed buyer. You will see 'Baker Gun Co,' various Bakers with wrong first initials, and even a 'Barker' which double-dipped both Baker AND Parker.
  
  So, double check the authenticity of your gun. Check between the barrels and receiver for Belgian proomarks (E over LG). If it is an actual W.H.Baker & Co. c.1878, it would be worth around $750.

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  Xracer

  February 06, 2003 05:20

  Just FYI, your Baker shotgun was listed in the 1902 Sears Catalog at $22.50.
  
  And BG, they also had your "Barker" shotgun for $10.40.

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