baker bativa special

striper59 · August 14, 2011, 12:06 PM

I have a baker bativia special 12 ga serial # 3018F is this gun safe to shoot, I was using it for deer hunting buck shot, did not realize it was close to 100 years old,

Dave McC · August 14, 2011, 09:16 PM

IIRC, the F suffix means it was made after Folsom bought out Baker.

Don't ask us, ask a qualified smith after he/she checks it out.

Chances are, this has chambers shorter than suited for modern ammo. Shooting a heavy buck load can kick pressures up into grenade range.

And it may have Damascus barrels. When new, they were strong enough but a century of use and abuse may have left them corroded past safe.

HTH....

August 14, 2011, 12:06 PM	#1
striper59 Junior Member Join Date: August 14, 2011 Posts: 1	baker bativa special I have a baker bativia special 12 ga serial # 3018F is this gun safe to shoot, I was using it for deer hunting buck shot, did not realize it was close to 100 years old,

August 14, 2011, 09:16 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	IIRC, the F suffix means it was made after Folsom bought out Baker. Don't ask us, ask a qualified smith after he/she checks it out. Chances are, this has chambers shorter than suited for modern ammo. Shooting a heavy buck load can kick pressures up into grenade range. And it may have Damascus barrels. When new, they were strong enough but a century of use and abuse may have left them corroded past safe. HTH....