doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Thoughts On Baker's

I am currently looking at several (entry level) damascus guns which I would use as a BP shooter for pheasants and occasional sporties. I see there are two Baker's on the gun boards trade named 'New Era Gun Works'. My search suggests these were made in conjunction with the 1893 Chicago worlds fair. I would appreciate any of your thoughts on the this model as a BP shooter.
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The alternate looks like it may be an Ithaca Flues. I appears the Flues line started in 1903 hence at least 10 years newer than the Baker New Era. Thanks

The 'New Era Nitro Hammerless Sidelock' was a Batavia Leader with twist barrels sold by Shapleigh Hardware.

The 'New Era Gun Works New York Nitro Hammerless Boxlock'



was a tradename gun for a store named 'The Fair', that also offered Syracuse Arms Co. boxlocks with the same name.
Ad from "American Field" April 20, 1901 (I think courtesy of Researcher).



More tradename Bakers are here
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17434920

ANY vintage gun must be assessed on its own merits, starting with the barrels. I am of the opinion that if the barrels are deemed 'safe' for black powder, they are safe for low pressure smokeless loads. You will note the ad states "fully guaranteed for nitro or black powders"

I did see the reference to Shapleigh Hardware on the Baker site but a different writer proposed the Worlds Fair connection. Your response ties it all together and was very helpful ..... Thanks

I think I remember that that Hollenbeck shaped model first showed in 1895 advertising in Mont. Ward .

Daryl is of course correct. The boxlock C Grade was made by Baker Gun & Forging on a Frank Hollenbeck design and the Henry Allender Aug. 12, 1884 patent. It was produced for Montgomery Ward in 1895, with Ward's name on the rib.

There appear to be quite a few Batavia Leaders out there. I've had two come through my hands recently. One just needed a good cleaning and a few touch-ups, and the other is racked awaiting restoration. The trick is finding one that is safe to shoot and has no serious stock issues, sometimes not easily done unless you get the gun into your hands.

The first one I referred to is digesting 6400psi smokeless powder shells with no problems, so you don't have to limit yourself to black powder. 6200psi AA Low-Noise, Low-Recoil shells work fine. For hunting larger birds, if you don't reload, you'll have to go the Polywad-RST-B&P route.

Flues are also very nice,light hunting guns. They were designed in the black powder era, they had problems when the smokeless powders changed in the 1920's, so Ithaca brought out the stronger NID. My main gun for smaller birds is a 16ga Flues, it's a joy to carry up and down hills when chasing grouse. I always shoot light, low brass loads even though it has fluid steel barrels. If you get one with damascus or twist barrels, the same guidelines for the Bakers apply.