Rare W. H. Baker & Co. Hammer Double Barrel 10 Ga (would eventually become L C SMITH Shotguns) made in Syracuse, NY, manufactured between 1871 and 1888, when the factory in Syracus burned down and was moved to Batavia.

Very Rare, Collectible, Conversation Piece!

Considered by most (including Lt Col Brophy the author of L C Smith Shotguns) to be the first of the L C Smith Hammer double guns, this cool looking 10 Ga Coach-gun has London twist double barrels with an articulating front trigger which unlocks the barrels, a set of 20 inch barrels with no marks. The Action is marked on right side “ W.H. BAKER & Co.” and below that “SYRACUSE N.Y.” and the left side is marked “PAT’D AUG. 31 187*”, the last number of the year is unreadable.

Action, barrels, and forearm are marked “55”. You can still see the laminate lines of the steel on both barrels, black walnut stock, pistol grip, checkering (though it is almost worn away). The firing pin on the left side may need a new spring. 

A little history: Lyman Smith’s entry into the gun manufacturing business was a partnership with his brother Leroy and W.H. Baker. They formed the firm W.H. Baker & Co. in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1877. The company manufactured three-barrel and side by side guns of Baker’s design. These guns were marked W.H. Baker & Co. By 1880 the partnership had dissolved. Leroy Smith and Baker went their separate ways and left Lyman Smith in control of the business. Lyman Smith continued making the Baker designed guns and were marked as “L.C. Smith, Maker of the Baker Gun”. In 1884 the Baker guns were replaced by the new hammer shotgun patented by an employee, Alexander T. Brown. This gun was same gun that became famous as the L.C. Smith shotgun. During this time period the shotguns were marked as L.C. Smith Maker. In 1888 L.C. Smith sold his business to John Hunter of Fulton, New York. Hunter Arms continued production until 1945, when the assets were sold to the Marlin Fire Arms Co. of New Haven, Conn. Guns at this time were marketed under the name of “L.C. Smith Gun Co.” Operations ceased in 1949. Marlin reintroduced the L.C. Smith shotgun in 1967 and made them until 1971.

• Caliber: -10 ga-
• Brand: - W.H. Baker & Co.
• Model: - Coach-gun double 
• Serial Number: - 55
• Barrels Length Inches: - 20”