I recently found a Baker Mod. 95 at a flea market and hope that someone may have a bit of information on it, as well as whether his price sounds fair.
It is an exposed hammer double with single lug lock with top bite, the numbers on both water table and barrel block both match. The condition (considering it's age) I would rate fair to good, feel free to correct me if needed. The metal showed no rust or corrosion at all. The receiver case color might go 10%, the blueing is mostly nonexistent leaving a soft light to medium gray. The barrels did however show a pattern which I am not familiar with, instead of the spiral damascus twist they had a profuse coverage of small swirls which appered to be burnished. Could the barrels be damascus or is it possible they are fluid steel?
Where this gun realy shines is in the condition of the action and the fact that only one screw has been molested. Lockup is tight with minimal sign of wear on the locking lug and top bite and the same can be said for the forend iron and cocking levers.
The wood set, IMHO, is where this gun falls on its face. The butt showed numerous small dings and scratches and the finish on both butt and forend, which appeared to be varnish, is sparse and patchy leaving dry or nearly dry wood exposed. The checkering, though complete and undamaged, is sorely worn, it's possible that a good cleaning might help with the appearance.
Since I'm not at very well versed on these older doubles I'm hoping someone here may be able to help. I don't recall the book the seller stated his price is based on but he's asking $450. Would it be reasonable to try to get him down to $400 or less?
Thanks for any help you may offer.

The Bakers are American made, but most of the damascus barrels were imported in the rough, and finished here.There are many different styles, Etoile (star) being the finest. Go over to The Double Gun BBS and have those fellows discuss it with you.
If the gun is sound, you can load blackpowder, 777, or Pyrodex loads.
I have a 10 pound 32" 12 gauge (on a 10 ga. frame) hammer gun with Star barrels that I load FFg for........James

Thanks James, I will definitaly look up the guys at Double Guns. Thoughts of brass case Pyrodex loads for western Kansas roosters wandered through my mind as I looked it over, that ought to leave my brother wondering the method to my madness.

I don't recall the book the seller stated his price is based on but he's asking $450. Would it be reasonable to try to get him down to $400 or less?
Thanks for any help you may offer.

According to The Standard Catalog Of Firearms, 2005 edition, a Baker with exposed hammers is worth $300 in Excellent condition.

DC

Thanks DMC, I've no idea which grade this gun is, but $450 did seem a bit high for a lesser known, to me, maker. Had it been a Remington 11F in that condition I would have jumped at it, but then I'm familiar with the Rem. 11's.

BAKERS ARE GREAT GUNS AND IN MY OPINION ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED OF ANY CLASSIC IT WAS ONCE IN THE COMPANY OF PARKER, AH FOX, LEFEVER,LC SMITH AND ITHACA. IT WAS AFTER 1919 THAT THE COMPANY SOLD ITS NAME TO FOLSOM THAT THEIR REPUTATION WANED BUT THE EARLY BAKERS ARE A WHOLE DIFFERENT ANIMAL. DEPENDING ON WHAT GRADE THE GUN IS 450.00 IS ABOUT RIGHT FOR THE BATAVIA LEADER ETC, PARAGON,EXPERT AND DELUXE GRADES COMMAND 2000.00 TO 4000.00 DOLLARS IF THE LOCKUP IS TIGHT YOU CAN ALLWAYS HAVE IT REFINISHED.I recently found a Baker Mod. 95 at a flea market and hope that someone may have a bit of information on it, as well as whether his price sounds fair.
It is an exposed hammer double with single lug lock with top bite, the numbers on both water table and barrel block both match. The condition (considering it's age) I would rate fair to good, feel free to correct me if needed. The metal showed no rust or corrosion at all. The receiver case color might go 10%, the blueing is mostly nonexistent leaving a soft light to medium gray. The barrels did however show a pattern which I am not familiar with, instead of the spiral damascus twist they had a profuse coverage of small swirls which appered to be burnished. Could the barrels be damascus or is it possible they are fluid steel?
Where this gun realy shines is in the condition of the action and the fact that only one screw has been molested. Lockup is tight with minimal sign of wear on the locking lug and top bite and the same can be said for the forend iron and cocking levers.
The wood set, IMHO, is where this gun falls on its face. The butt showed numerous small dings and scratches and the finish on both butt and forend, which appeared to be varnish, is sparse and patchy leaving dry or nearly dry wood exposed. The checkering, though complete and undamaged, is sorely worn, it's possible that a good cleaning might help with the appearance.
Since I'm not at very well versed on these older doubles I'm hoping someone here may be able to help. I don't recall the book the seller stated his price is based on but he's asking $450. Would it be reasonable to try to get him down to $400 or less?
Thanks for any help you may offer.

Welcome to the forum.

Your "caps lock" key appears to be stuck, FYI :)

Thanks for the info BB. Will def. be made note of for future reference.

Unfortunately, beings how this thread is dated, I doubt he still has this gun (would be nice to find he still does). Fortunately though, I have since acquired a really sweet Husqvarna Mod 20 in 16 with the funds that I had set aside.