I just acquired a 10 Gauge New Baker model SxS.
I have gone over the shotgun with a fine tooth comb, and other than the serial number 226xx and the name New Baker on each side of the action there are no markings at all.
I am curious as to when and where the gun was made, and any other information I can acquire about it.
I would say the gun is in 70%+ condition.
The Damascus pattern is very well preserved, and the checkering is nearly perfect.
Another interesting feature is that it has 3.25" chambers.
I never ran across a gun this old with chambers that size.
As you can see from the photos it is in very good condition.
[img]http://https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Daltond/20210719_232655.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill[/img]
[img]http://https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Daltond/20210719_233327.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill[/img]
[img]https://hosting.photobucket.com/ima...g?width=450&height=278&crop=fill[/img]
[img]https://hosting.photobucket.com/ima...g?width=450&height=278&crop=fill[/img]
[img]https://hosting.photobucket.com/ima...g?width=450&height=278&crop=fill[/img]
[img]https://hosting.photobucket.com/ima...g?width=450&height=278&crop=fill[/img]
[img]https://hosting.photobucket.com/ima...g?width=450&height=278&crop=fill[/img]

Welcome on your first posting
Neat gun



Daryl Hallquist should be along shortly

http://www.bakercollectors.com/

Mike

Thank you for the welcome.
I am enjoying myself a great deal.
David

8 bore E.M. Reilly on Guntrader UK. SN 20469 (1877). 34" barrels. 3 1/4" chamber. Don't know it that is original chambering. Donald Dallas commented that he never saw a UK original Shotgun chamber longer than 2 1/2" in the 19th century but we have subsequently posted some I believe. Of course these are rifles.
https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/shotguns/reilly-em/hammer/08-gauge/210723151839657


8 bore E.M. Reilly on Rock Island auction. SN 18534 (1874). 3 1/4" Chambers. Again don't know if this is original:
https://www.rockislandauction.com/d...bore-back-action-underlever-double-rifle

That gun is in a lot better condition than 70%. More like 90% based on the photos. Case colors are faded, but otherwise very high.
JR

The barrels are what Baker Gun & Forging called "Best London Damascus Twist", which was used on the Grade B hammerless

Did you use a rule to measure the chamber length? The chambers very likely started at 2 7/8", and if slightly over-size the rule would over estimate the length. It is critical that the end of chamber and forcing cone wall thicknesses be measured before using the gun.

I measured the chambers with a depth micrometer,
a perfect 3.25".
I can load a brass 2 7/8ths case in it and using a bore scope i can see lots of chamber still unused.
I am a machinist by trade, and the chambers don't show any demarcation line which I
believe would be present if the chambers had been lengthened.
So I can't help but believe that it was special ordered with long chambers.
Chamber wall thickness at end of chamber is .112.
Muzzle wall thickness is .096 for both barrels.
As I stated earlier, the only markings on this gun, are the name, New Baker, the serial number.
Matching serial numbers on barrels, water table, and forestock on both wood and metal.
Correction, There is a number 6 or 9 on the water table as well.
No marks on the Hook or on the rib.
I am somewhat at a loss, as this gun doesn't seem to fit any of the descriptions I see for Bakers,

The New Baker Top Bolt model was produced 1892-1896 with SNs 16,000-27,000
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zR9cn008zfbEsyaynA_u8sf9wHI6ItVi0msn2alC9ek/edit

This shotgun is in that serial number range.
I am still stumped by the lack of markings.

I tried to err on the conservative side of things.
However you are probably closer to correct than I am.
David

Glad to know you took my advise and was finally able to log in David; you've come to the right place. Perhaps Daryl Halquist, the "Baker expert", and David Noreen, our vintage shells expert, will come along shortly and shed a bit more light on your gun and odd chamber length. Tom

"8 bore E.M. Reilly on Rock Island auction. SN 18534 (1874). 3 1/4" Chambers. Again don't know if this is original?"

What I don't know about 8-bore guns would fill several volumes, but I do have a few vintage 8-bore Remington Arrow paper shells in my collection. They are roll crimped and in two lengths; 3" and 3.5", so the shorter shell would be very near 3.25" when fired.

Thank you Tom

In the 1895 Union Metallic Cartridge Co. catalog their Best Quality brass 10-gauge shells were offered in lengths from 2 5/8 inch to 3 1/4 inch.

Your gun is in very fine condition. As to chamber length, Researcher may have your answer. Those 3 1/4" shells were available. How much does your gun weigh?

The gun weighs 10.5 lbs.
Is the lack of markings other than the serial number and model name unusual?
David

As far as the two 8-gauge guns pictured with 3 1/4 inch chambers, that was the "standard" length for the 8-gauge. The 8-gauge was offered in lengths up to 4-inch.

Never thought about owning an 8 gauge.
I prefer guns I can actually hunt with.
This Baker, and my 1889 Remington (Both 10 gauges),
Will be in the field this fall after Ducks and possibly Doves

I have looked around online for 3.25 inch brass hulls. None available that I can locate.
I have 100 2 7/8ths brass cases though. Is there any downside or problem with using them in the Baker with it's longer chambers.
I'll be using Black powder mainly, and some low pressure Red Dot loads under a maximum of 1 1/4 oz of shot. I'll probably make up some lighter loads with 7/8 oz and 1 oz of shot as well

Occasionally one might see a barrel marking, probably half filed off, from the barrel source in Europe. Not a Baker marking. On the New Bakers of the top bolt era I see only the markings on the sides of the receiver and the serial number several places. I personally see no problem shooting 2 7/8" brass loads in a gun with 3 1/4" chambers if the gun is in good condition. The weight of your gun hints at a waterfowl gun, as do the chamber lengths.

Here are the typical marks on the top bolt New Baker. The Model 1896 was identical , but had a Model 1896 in a diamond on the trigger guard. My Model 1896 is in similar condition, but retains all of the trigger guard blue, so I'm not sure if the trigger guard bluing process changed between the two models.

That is a very lovely shotgun. I don't know why, but I just prefer hammer guns.

Thank you Daryl,
I appreciate all of the information you have so kindly provided.
I would also like to thank Researcher, and all the others who
Posted replies for their help as well
I feel lucky to have located this website, and I am very happy to be a member here, albeit a very junior one.
Thanks again to everyone.
David