doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com BAKER Question

Does anyone know the meaning or significance of the initials "O W" stamped on some Baker hammerless SxS's?

JERRY

Jerry, on what part of the gun do you see the O W stamping ?

DARYL,

The "O W" appears on both the water table and the barrel flats, stamped near the serial number. The letters are larger and a different style than the serial number.

On other American SxS's, it would appear to be the grade designation. But I don't think Baker had an OW grade. What do you think?

JERRY

Where are you?

Doug

There are a group of Bakers in the 60,000 and 61,000 serial range with O W stamped on the forend iron. These vary in decoration and appear to have been made for others to retail. O W is not a grade mark. This serial range is exclusive with the O W marked guns. What serial no. is your gun ?

DARYL,

I'm truly impressed with your SxS wisdom.

My 10 ga. SxS Baker's serial number is 608xx; in the very range you speculated. The "O W" is also stamped into the forend iron, next to the serial number - as you suggested.

Until a better explanation is published, I'll just assume it was the personal hunting shotgun of the famous (perhaps infamous) British author, Oscar Wilde.....or perhaps it was previously owned by Oliver Winchester? or maybe Orsen Wells?

(DOUG, I live near St. Louis, MO.)

JERRY