Some years ago Dr. Robert Decker helped put together a Baker Shotgun Collectors website . Much of the early L C Smith history starts with W H Baker. We are having hosting problems , but one can view the website via Dr. Drew's website. I think you will enjoy the early L C Smith history , as well as the Baker guns made after the Baker/Smith partnership split in 1879. View the information here.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PqK3UImDCrsOrk6O_2DsovHXvaNSzliSiwaP35Y6PMk/edit?tab=t.0