Tunachaser
US Veteran
My neighbor wants me to sell this for her, the sn is 0840, one of the earliest models made, any guesses?
1860s Baker
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Tunachaser
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Tunachaser
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It is an old 10 gage.
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I see a lot of old doubles, most don't bring much unless they are in superb condition or are one of the really popular brand names (Colt, Parker etc). It appears to be in decent shape but a lot of guns used names similar to well known makers to enhance sales in the old days. I'll look through some of my old books and see if i can find anything on it.
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Tunachaser
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Thanks Desi, I realy want to help her out. I was told that Baker and LC Smih started out as partners, and Smith left to produce hammerless guns, but I don't have any of the books on old shot guns.
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Andy Griffith
Member
The forearm looks to be sanded or replaced sometime in its existence.
I would say the best way to see what it brings on the open market is put it on an auction site. I just hope she doesn't have grand visions of thousands of dollars, because it likely won't bring a whole lot because of it's condition. I've been wrong before, but I wouldn't expect a whole lot. Even Parker lifter doubles from the period don't bring a whole lot, except in the high grades, and even those don't bring as much as later guns. If you do the online auction and and it doesn't bring a whole lot, that is the market price for the piece.
I would say the best way to see what it brings on the open market is put it on an auction site. I just hope she doesn't have grand visions of thousands of dollars, because it likely won't bring a whole lot because of it's condition. I've been wrong before, but I wouldn't expect a whole lot. Even Parker lifter doubles from the period don't bring a whole lot, except in the high grades, and even those don't bring as much as later guns. If you do the online auction and and it doesn't bring a whole lot, that is the market price for the piece.
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Tunachaser
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I think you are right Andy, some woman told her it would be around 5900, I'mm thinking 600-1000, and only because it is one of the first made, but I too could be wrong.
Andy Griffith
Member
I think it will be lucky to break $500, but I could be wrong.
Tell her to auction it, or keep it. I believe I would love to have some of the stuff the lady that told her it was worth $5900 was on, but likely she just watched the Antiques Roadshow too long...needs to move over to American Pickers to find the correct prices.
Tell her to auction it, or keep it. I believe I would love to have some of the stuff the lady that told her it was worth $5900 was on, but likely she just watched the Antiques Roadshow too long...needs to move over to American Pickers to find the correct prices.
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The locks look right for a genuine Baker so I don't think it's one of the clone type imitations. It show sign of an old refinsh from the pics especially on the wood which appears to have been sanded a bit. I would figure the value is probably in the 500 to 600 range, Flaydermans show 500 for one in VG, might be a good reserve for an online auction. If it doesn't sell any bids you get should give you an idea what it's actually worth, after all it's only worth what you can get someone to give you for it.
Baker made some SxS's and drillings in Lisle,NY before moving over to Syracuse. Could be one of those early guns(?).
The earlier the better for collector interest.
One of his business partners at Syracuse (the first of his Syracuse ventures) was Lyman C. Smith (and Lyman's brother). When WmBaker left the company Lyman took it over and continued to produce 'Baker' shotguns for a while. The design evolved later after some refinements and new patents into the L.C.Smith. That's the connection there.
Baker went on to found the Ithaca Gun Co with another group of investors and partners. Their first shotgun was the 'Ithaca Baker Model'.
Left there and went back to Syracuse again and started 'Syracuse Forging Co',,making the 'New Baker Shotgun'. The company renamed the Syracuse Gun & Forging Company. That burned to the ground.
They moved to Batavia, NY and started it back up as "Baker Firearms Co." in the late 1880's. Wm Baker died shortly after the move there.
Any marks on it to indicate Syracuse, NY or Lisle, NY ? (or any other location of mfg'r?)
The earlier the better for collector interest.
One of his business partners at Syracuse (the first of his Syracuse ventures) was Lyman C. Smith (and Lyman's brother). When WmBaker left the company Lyman took it over and continued to produce 'Baker' shotguns for a while. The design evolved later after some refinements and new patents into the L.C.Smith. That's the connection there.
Baker went on to found the Ithaca Gun Co with another group of investors and partners. Their first shotgun was the 'Ithaca Baker Model'.
Left there and went back to Syracuse again and started 'Syracuse Forging Co',,making the 'New Baker Shotgun'. The company renamed the Syracuse Gun & Forging Company. That burned to the ground.
They moved to Batavia, NY and started it back up as "Baker Firearms Co." in the late 1880's. Wm Baker died shortly after the move there.
Any marks on it to indicate Syracuse, NY or Lisle, NY ? (or any other location of mfg'r?)
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Tunachaser
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Well, I guess it's worth $600, that's what I sold it for. Thanks guys.
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