Re: L C Smith Maker of Baker Gun Archived Message
Posted by David Williamson on December 13, 2013, 9:33 pm, in reply to "L C Smith Maker of Baker Gun"
Greg, from your description it is a Quality 1. If you give me the serial number it might help to give you the year made. The L.C. Smith Maker of Baker Guns were made from 1880-1884, before this they were W.H. Baker and Co. from 1877-1880.
The Three Barrel was made in 10 gauge or 12 gauge. The rifle barrel was listed as 44-40, but there were others, 38-50 Ballard, 38-55, 45-70 and others I'm sure.
The Three Barrel was offered from Quality 1 to Quality 5 the highest.
As for how many made, it is hard to tell as there are no records for these guns. The L.C. Smith Maker of Baker Guns, the three barrel serial numbers started at 301 and went to 1600, but it is doubtful that there were 1300 made. Before this the W.H. Baker three barrel started at serial number 1 and went to 300. As to value, any of these guns are getting harder to find in decent condition. At a recent auction in October of this year a Quality 3 12x12x38-50 that was engraved on the top barrel Presented to L.H. Smith from L.C. Smith went for $63,250.00. It is believed that Lyman Cornelius Smith gave this gun to his older brother Leroy for him and WH Baker in forming the Ithaca Gun Co. in 1883.
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