I have recently acquired a Baker three-barrel, 30” Damascus, gun (10ga x 10ga x 44-40) marked “L.C. Smith Maker of Baker Gun Syracuse N.Y. Stub Twist” serial number 1090. I understand that this L.C. Smith had previously been restored by Mr. Buck Hamlyn of Missouri. In all appearances it looks to be an excellent gun. I would appreciate your assistance in finding the year of manufacture and directing me on where I can obtain, if possible, a factory letter for this gun.
Reviewing the L.C. Smith Collectors Association web site, the 1090 serial number information left a dichotomy between the automated serial number year dates and the written history. The response for a hammer 10ga, returned the dates 1898 or 1918, and the history defined three barrel guns for L.C. Smith Maker of Baker Gun” 1880/81 to 1888 when the three barrel manufacturing ceased. The 1898 and 1918 dates could not be correct as the gun was not in production at the time. So I am now looking between 1880 and 1888. I would like to close that to a single year of manufacture if possible.
Any assistance or direction you could point me in would be of tremendous help.