Baker went to Syracuse from Lisle to partner with LC and Leroy Smith to form the basis of the LC Smith Co. Baker had a shop on Dudley Creek before leaving for Syracuse where he made his double and 3 barrel guns. He and Leroy(with Baker's latest design) came to Ithaca circa 1883 to start the Ithaca Gun Co. The early catalogs specifically mentioned Baker's "Ithaca gun" to differentiate it from the Baker gun produced by the LC Co.
The late Jerry Swinney and I, with the help of a local historian, visited the site of the Losey and Lull forge. The mill pond and the foundation were then discernible. I remember finding a sector of a large grinding stone that we left in place. Jerry showed me a L&L catalog illustrating rifle barrels, NO shotgun barrels. At least some of the illustrations clearly were a 'twist' type composite. I don't know what happened to Jerry's research library. He was the comsummant researcher! It was a pleasure to travel with him as we did on several occasions.
The Bob Edwards home place was almost across the road from the forge. Bob Edwards shows up in the Nov. 1883 Ithaca Gun Co. time books. There is a large Edward's monument in the Brocktondale cemetery where Bob and his family are interred. BTW, Fred Crass shows up in July, 1883 if my memory serves.
Last edited by Walter C. Snyder; 10/28/07 08:20 AM.
