[Rjross1991]

My father just handed down my granfathers shotgun to me, I dont know much about it other than the little bit I understand online. This gun has been in my family for a very long time. From what I understand it was bought new by my grandfather after he came home from ww2, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. Seeing my grandfather was quiet and didnt talk about much to anyone.if anyone could give me any info on it would really appreciate it. The serial number is 47842

 

[Rjross1991]

Having ahard time uploading photos

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Try just copy and pasting, works for me most of the time if I open it with the right program.

 

[Rjross1991]

There we go

 

[Coalcracker]

Nice shot gun looks like it was well taken care of. Hope you continue to cherish it and keep it nice.

 

[Rjross1991]

Thanks, my dad had a stroke when I was pretty young, so I've been taking care of this gun myself for about 20 years now.

 

[LRDGCO]

It looks to be in extremely good condition, or was it reblued? The Baker guns were quite high quality for a lesser known manufacturer, and the Batavia line of sidelocks were quite upmarket within that segment. Based on the quality of the finish, I wonder whether you have "The Black Beauty model". This was the same gun as the Batavia Leader but a higher quality finish and "special steel barrels" as well as line engaraving. This info mauy be helpful:

"The Baker Gun & Forging Co. had a line of double barrel shotguns, sidelocks, called Batavia guns in 1903. They had, in 1909, "The Baker Gunner," the "Batavia Leader" with twist barrels at $25, the "Batavia Special" with steel barrels at $21.75, the "Batavia Damascus" at $28, the "Batavia Brush" at $24, the "Batavia Ejector" at $35. This gun in the pics is the BATAVIA LEADER as you can see.​

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The Batavia line did not have the "firing pin block safety" or the "draw block" which passes through the barrel lug and into the frame. ​

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The sidelock "Black Beauty" replaced the Batavia Special, Leader, and Damascus guns about 1916.​

The Batavia Leader number series were from 75,000 to about 106,000.


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Now, Baker Gun & Forging sold the business to H.& D. Folsom in 1919 and then the guns were marked "Baker Gun Co." As this one is not, I assume it is earlier than that. Baker did offer a "Batavia Leader" however. Grades for these Folsom owned Baker Guns were the "Batavia Leader," "Black Beauty Special," "Paragon," "Expert," and "DeLuxe." ​

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Folsom listed the Black Beauty Special for $62 -$77 with ejectors, the Paragon $100 -$115, the Expert for $215, and the DeLuxe for $385. Folsom era Bakers usually have an F before or after the serial numbers 1- about 14,000.
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H & D Folsom Arms Co. catalogs No. 23, 25, and 31 (1929-1930) only list the Batavia Leader and Black Beauty Special. By 1932 they had no more Baker Guns.​

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Baker Gun Co. was closed in 1930 and the factory started making car parts. About 150,000 Baker guns were produced prior to the Folsom ownership."

FWIW, "The Gun Trader's Guide, 33rd Edition", lists the Baker Leader with extractors at NiB $995, Excellent $626, and Good $436. With Ejectors, NiB $938; Excellent $506, and Good $333. The Black Beauty Models are worth about $200 more.

It looks a great SxS and the family history makes it super special.
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[Popeye]

The recoil pad is not original to the gun.

 

[Rjross1991]

It wasn't reblued to my knowledge, and yes the recoil pad was changed I have a photo of my grandfather holding it in the 50s and the recoil pad was a thinner pad.
Also it does have an engraving that says batavia leader on the right side and batavia. NY on the left