doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Baker and H&R Questions

Not knowing very much about these SxS, could someone offer help. Would like to know model and dates of manufacture and any thing else of interest like barrel types.

First is a Baker 12ga., serial number 3718.

Second, Harrington and Richardson 10ga. double, serial number 1384.

Both guns are in pretty nice condition with good looking bores.

Thanks in advance for the help.

I am sure we can help if you will post some clear pictures.

They don't belong to me yet so no pictures. I'm trying to get some information to help me make up my mind.

I believe the Baker might have a Twist steel barrel. There is a "T" stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug. The H&R is a damascus barrel of some sort.

OK, are the guns made with exterior or interior hammers ? Are there any Patent marks or other writing on the guns ?

I seem to recall that H & R made a double gun in the late 1800s that was based on a British gun, it was a high quality gun, the British firm supplied H & R with technical help to produce it. Not too many were made as there was pretty fierce competition in that market at the time.

The H&R gun was made in 10 & 12 ga under royalty from Westley Richards of Birmingham,England on their Anson & Deeley patent, and was a super quality gun made in several grades.

I do know the H&R does have Anson & Deeley stamped on the water table, What I didn't see was anything that indicated a grade, There is some engraving on it, more than a little and less than alot. Boy, that was pretty technical discription now wasn't it. It does appear to be a quality sxs. I'd like to know what grade it is.

In about 1993, at an Ohio Gun Collectors Assn. show, I passed up a deal on a Harrington and Richardson A Grade double because it had those damn nasty dangerous unshootable Damascus barrels. It was a 12 ga gun and was very profusely and beautifully engraved and had very nice wood. The asking price seemed very reasonable for the quality. In truth, I had no idea that H&R ever even built a double, and I thought they had mostly made cheaper lower tier single shots and revolvers. The Blue Book I had with me was no help and didn't list them at all. When I did some research and discovered what I'd passed up, I was kind of sick about it. I don't recall the production numbers, but I know they are scarce and very few A Grades were made.

When I hear guys hem-hawing about buying a gun, I tell them I never regretted buying any gun... but there are quite a few I regret not buying. This was one of them.

If the H&R has condition, I would be buying that. The Baker is more common and even with some condition, may not be a good choice.