Baker Double Barrel Shotgun Serial Numbers

I have 12 GAUGE PARKER DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN WITH HAMMERS. IT HAS A SERIAL NUMBER OF 2921. Barker and images may be seen. In 1867 Baker is in Lisle, N.Y. Making muzzle loaders, conversions, two and three barreled breechloaders, all of which were marked W. Baker until 1877. The firearm that reigned supreme during this time however was the side by side double barrel shotgun. The major brands of SxS shotguns being produced here in the USA during this period of time were Parker, L.C. Smith, Lefever, Ithaca, Fox, Remington, and Baker.

Baker Shotgun Serial Number Database

BAKER GUN & FORGING CO.

Baker Gun & Forging Company founded in early 1890, by Elias Baker, brother of William Baker. Made from drop forged parts, Baker single-/double barrel shotguns quickly gained a reputation for strength and reliability among shooters of the period. Offered in a wide variety of grades, from plain utilitarian to heavily embellished models. Baker shotguns have in recent years become highly collectible. Company was sold on December 24, 1919, to H. & D. Folsom Arms Company of Norwich, Connecticut. Folsom Company had, for almost 20 years, been Baker Company's sole New York City agent and had marketed at least one Baker model that was only made for them. From 1919 to approximately 1923, Folsom continued to assemble and make Baker shotguns. Late model Bakers were made by Crescent Firearms Company and have serial numbers with an 'F' suffix. Baker Gun & Forging Company was the first American arms manufacturer to: 1. Make a single barrel trap shotgun.2. Make a single barrel trap shotgun with ventilated rib. 3. Make arms with an intercepting firing pin block safety. 4. Make a double barrel shotgun, with hammers directly behind the firing pins. 5. Use a long swinging sear, that once adjusted, gave consistent trigger pull throughout the working life of an arm. Baker shotguns manufactured between 1913 and 1923, that were engraved by Rudolph J. Kornbrath, command substantial price premiums over values listed.

Choose your Firearm

Baker Double Barrel Shotgun Serial Numbers

By Photos

By Model

M1894, was the first hammerless, made in 10, 12, & 16 gauges. Could have been had in 'ordnance or damascus steel barrels. This model has a Purdey forend fastener (push button type)

M1900, hammerless, made in 12 & 16 gauges. Could have been had in 'ordnance or damascus steel barrels. This model has the snap on Baker type forend fastener.

The 1894 was more of a precision fit gun & could be had as an engraved version. The 1900 was basically an 'economy' version of the 1894.
Before 1906 both the 1894 & 1900 models had the firing pin made integral on the hammers. Around 1906 Remington made the change to the floating firing pin on both guns. It was a running change so there is no exact serial number.
The best way to tell the two model's apart is by the serial numbers. The model 1894 serial number's start with a (1) and the model 1900 serial number's start with a (3). All have 6 number's in the serial number. So if the serial number start's with a (3) it is a model 1900. Also on the 1894 especially on later gun's sometimes there is a 'P' ahead of the serial number, The 'P' signifies the 1894. On the 1900 sometimes there is a 'Q' ahead of the serial number, the 'Q' signifies the model 1900.
As far as the receiver parts go about the only difference is fit and finish between the 1894 and the 1900.
Another difference is the 1894 has a Purdey forend fastener (push button) and the 1900 has the snap on Baker type forend fastener.
Gun's with flat ribs will be earlier guns, & will usually have the firing pin's as part of the hammer. Also, if either the 1894 or 1900 model has a concave rib (not flat) and /or one screw in the trigger guard (not two) and /or a concave safety it will almost always have the floating firing pin's. The changes to the floating firing pin was around 1906.
Also on both models the 1894 and 1900, there is the 1894 patent date on the forend iron.
For the model 1900, they did away with the point on top of the buttplate and went to a cheaper straighter buttplate.
I have collected Remington model 1894 and 1900 double for over 40 years. I also do repair and restoration on them. Thanks for allowing me to explain.

Old Double Barrel Shotgun Manufacturers

Baker Double Barrel Shotgun

MODEL	SERIAL NUMBER	YEARS
1873	1-5600	1873-1878
1876	1-5900	1876-1882
1878	1-2200	1878-1882
1882	1000 - 2000	1882-1887
1883	14,000 - 16,000	1883-1884
1885/87	17,000 - 24,000	1885/87-1889
1889	24,000 - 265,000 (skipped most of 100,000 series)	1889-1900
1894	100,000 - 140,700	1894-1910
1900	300,000 - 395,000	1900-1910