WH Baker Co Three-Barrel Gun 10 GA/.38 Drilling Combo Rifle/Shotgun Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,550.00
WOA#: WY240611RD007
Make: W. H. Baker & Co.
Model: Three Barrel Gun
Serial Number: 274
Year of Manufacture: 1877-1880
Gauge/Caliber: 10 GA Black Powder Only. The bottom barrel is approximately .38 caliber, likely chambered for .38-50 Ballard or .38-55 Winchester
Action Type: Front Trigger Opening, External Hammers, Three Barreled Combination Shotgun/Rifle (Drilling)
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: Both approximately Improved Cylinder, both Fixed
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade fixed to the front of the rib. The rear sight is a “V”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the rib. There is a folding tang sight mounted to the top tang. The detent mechanism is not working properly and the arm is bent slightly. The sight has a slider with a “V”-notch at the top and an aperture below.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut. The forend has a metal nosecap with a schnabel shape and is secured to the barrels with a wedge. The buttstock has a straight grip, straight comb and smooth steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are some spots of fill, most notable at the front edges of the wrist and in the right of the wrist between the checkering and receiver. The left of the wrist has a crack from the rear edge of the receiver to the top tang. The checkering ranges from well defined to worn, but visible. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 1/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with some spots of surface erosion. The stocks rate in about Good overall condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Browned Damascus, Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Refinished. Serialized parts are matching.
Bore Condition: The shotgun bores are gray with scattered erosion and pitting. There are some scattered dents visible in the rifle bores. The rifle bore is gray with well defined rifling, having scattered erosion and minor pitting. There is a slight bulge in the rifle bore about 1-2″ from the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate about 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its current metal finish. The right firing pin is broken. The barrels have generally strong finish with some spots of light surface oxidation. The exposed surfaces of the receiver have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina, there is some blue finish on the water table and in well protected areas. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in Fair-Good condition as refinished Antique.
Mechanics: The right shotgun firing pin is broken. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with very minor play. The action is opened by pushing forward on the front trigger. There is a switch in front of the front trigger which is used to select the rifle barrel. If the left hammer is cocked, the rear trigger will fire both the rifle and shotgun barrels. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Before forming a partnership with L.C. Smith and L.H. Smith, W.H. Baker was focused on making three barrel guns, such as this one. L. C. Smith took over the company in 1880 and continued manufacturing the Baker guns until 1888. The Baker guns had an interesting mechanism, with the action opened by pushing the front trigger forward, rather than using a separate lever as in most doubles. Their Three Barrel guns are a scarce example of an American made drilling, offered with 10 or 12 gauge barrels over .44-40 Winchester (with a very few chambered for other rifle cartridges). It is estimated that there were only a few hundred of the Three Barrel guns made between 1877 and 1880, and this one is chambered for one of the more scarce .38 caliber rifle cartridges, either .38-50 Ballard or .38-55 Winchester (we do not have example cartridges on hand to test the chamber). The guns were marketed as being able to take any kind of game, preventing the hunter from taking the wrong gun, as well as providing defense against predators when out hunting birds.
This example shows its age, its most notable issue being a broken firing pin in the right barrel. Apart from that, it is in decent shape for a 140+ year old gun which likely saw some use in the field. This is a scarce example of the Baker Three Barrel drilling and will certainly make a nice addition to a collection of Baker or early American breech-loading guns. It would also be well worth restoring. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud