Found this on Auction Arms. A poor picture of a 10g 3 pin Baker marked "Tryons Damascus Philadelphia PA"

Baker "Tryon Special" with steel barrels

We see quite a few of those Bakers marked "Tryon's Damascus" in the mid-atlantic area. Tryon was a HUGE sporting goods dealer and distributor in Philadelphia. That gal that sells all the reproduction catalogs sells a reprint of Tryons if I remember correctly.

Here's an original from 1906

Looks like they may have run aground with the Port of Philadelphia appraiser like Daly did(No. 3237 as protest 104741): http://books.google.com/books?id=uQFEAAA...delphia&lr= . They peddled bicycles by the name of Apollo & Vesper as well as some ordnance. So I would say they imported rough tubes and finished them.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Nice vintage photo- don't see any close-ups of men in straw boaters there however- Guess that was just before maurice Chevallier's time, hey? I have the Baker "in-hand"-- It is a 12 gauge Batavia Special sn is 1595XX and all match- buttplate and set screws not original, few minor flaws behind tail of the sidelocks-forearm intact, most likely refinished and no checkering- sn on wood and iron match the receiver and 30" [censored]-tensile barrels- extractor not ejector- barrels have no dents or dings and pass the Frank Sinatra "Ring-A-Ding" test- 30" M&F uncut and chokes are chambers are original and have not been "boogered"-- fotos later only to seriously interested parties--hopefully Davey will have the PMs sector repaired here soon-- RWTF

Edward K Tryon


The Tryons of Philadelphia
http://www.tryonsofphiladelphia.com/Site/Expansion_1836-1892.html

There were supply chains to England and Belgium in Philadelphia. Also don't forget TL Golcher and his Daly connection. Raimey is correct. The Belgian's exported "rough tubes" thus avoiding the tariff fees for gun parts.

Pete

We see Tryon marked models of the Batavia Leader, Batavia Special, Batavia Damascus , and the Baker Hammerless [sometimes called the C Grade] The above names weren't stamped on the Tryon guns.

While we are talking Batavia Specials, I have one in 12 gauge. I noticed RWTF's comment about all numbers match which prompted my question. The only number on mine anywhere is on the forend wood. No serial number on the water table, barrel flats or tang. I read on a forum awhile back where a fellow had one as well that only had the number stamped in the wood. Why would this be?

What number does your forend wood have ? Some odd and put together guns can be found in the 38,000 to 50,000 range.

The number on the wood is 151315.

Well, that's a Batavia Special serial number. A Batavia Special would have [censored]-Tensile steel barrels. All Bakers I have seen have the serial number stamped on the inside of the lock plate. You might look there for a number between 150,000 and 170,000.

It does have said barrels. I will have to remove the locks and have a look.


Edit--I removed the locks and had a look. They do have the same number on the inside as on the forend wood--151315.

I know this post is getting a little old, but need to jump in here and request (beg is more like it) some information on my Tryon's Damascus. I am trying to date the gun and the serial number (all the parts are stamped, not the wood) is 45637. The barrels are Damascus (obviously) and quite nice (or will be when I finish refinishing). Just wondering if one of you more knowledgeable chaps could help me date it using the serial number.

Although your gun is not in the normal Batavia Damascus serial no. range, it was made between 1915 and 1919. During that period Baker seemed to cast aside the normal numbering systems and most all guns were serial numbered between 38,000 and 51,000, with all models being in that range.

Daryl, Thanks. While sanding on them a while ago. I noticed some numbering on the underside of the barrels. On the fore-end lug, is D 3 H. The barrels each have 3 H stamped into them. Also there is some smaller stamping on the barrels of ADH on each barrel. Just my curiosity, wondering if these are some sort of identification of the Damascus? Do they indicate American manufacture? No other marks (stamps) on them. Any details appreciated. Curious Johnny.

ADH is the barrel maker Arthur-Delvaux-Heuse. Also found on Lefever and Syracuse Arms.
http://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=17yCstxftvWXpFdSru4JKbRIE1-Q8OqXgJs66tEXntqw

Thanks Drew, That is exactly it. Here is photo of what the pattern is for the barrels.

http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww28/RoadFat/FultonSyracuseBarrelFitment/clipdamascus.jpg

There was a really nice Montgomery Wards marked Baker hammerless boxlock at auction a while back I almost bid on. Interesting how many major makers had hardware stores brand and market their guns for them back then.

I have one of those "Monkey Ward"Bakers.Mine has 32" bbls choked full and fuller,a 3 position safety, a fair amount of engraving and a pigeon engraved on the bottom of the action.Damascus bbls that are around.075" thick at the muzzle!

I must have the exact same double. The barrels are so thick that I could drive nails with them. But I think they are just .060 with just under .050 choke. Talk about a long range gun. It patterned 85 % at 40 yards with my favorite old lead shot load. I wish we could buy a lead shot exemption certificate for these old guns. How nice it would be to shoot lead shot over decoys with a classic gun. Shells costing ten dollars a box instead of $30 and killing birds like a hammer. Oh well those days are behind us forever.

That sounds like a neat gun. Let's see some pics!