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.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Last edited by Daryl Hallquist; 07/28/21 11:18 AM.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PqK3UImDCrsOrk6O_2DsovHXvaNSzliSiwaP35Y6PMk/edit?tab=t.0