Bwana Earl
Inactive
She was passed on to me. Originally she belonged to my wife's grandmother's brother (great uncle?). I have seen the gun in old photos with the owner and my wife's grandfather standing alongside a Model T Ford literally covered with mallards. That was "back in the day" when rice farmers around Stuttgart, Arkansas provided shotshells for hunters to protect the shocked rice drying in the fields. Meat marketers from Memphis, Little Rock, St. Louis and Pine Bluff would buy what you and your neighbors couldn't eat as there were no freezers. They never made a dent in the duck population, as the breeding grounds were not yet farmed. Without the hunters, rice farmers could have lost their entire crop overnight. I even have the story about the freezing rain that produced the slight "dog-nut" in the left barrel. But all the family is passed away, so there is no one to consult.
Anyway, I want to know more about the gun and the Baker Gun Company. She would have been purchased new around 1920, plus or minus 5 years. Uncle Harry was "well to do" but somewhat of a tightwad according to family lore, so I imagine this is a mid-priced shotgun for the time. She is tight and appears well made, but I am not a shotgun expert by any means. I have shot many "field load" shells through her with great pleasure, but I've always preferred a pump or semi-auto.
I will appreciate ANY help here as I want to provide a write up for my grandson who will eventually enjoy her.
Serial Number is 44xxx. She is a hammerless side by side double barrel with extractors, two triggers, and the rib has wavy lines to reduce glare. There is no engraving, but the checkering is very nicely cut.
Thanks in advance,
Bwana Earl
Anyway, I want to know more about the gun and the Baker Gun Company. She would have been purchased new around 1920, plus or minus 5 years. Uncle Harry was "well to do" but somewhat of a tightwad according to family lore, so I imagine this is a mid-priced shotgun for the time. She is tight and appears well made, but I am not a shotgun expert by any means. I have shot many "field load" shells through her with great pleasure, but I've always preferred a pump or semi-auto.
I will appreciate ANY help here as I want to provide a write up for my grandson who will eventually enjoy her.
Serial Number is 44xxx. She is a hammerless side by side double barrel with extractors, two triggers, and the rib has wavy lines to reduce glare. There is no engraving, but the checkering is very nicely cut.
Thanks in advance,
Bwana Earl