This is an L.C. Smith 3-Barrel gun (sometimes called a Drillings rifle). This one is the "No. 1 Quality" variation with Damascus stub twist barrels, English walnut stock with checkered pistol grip. The forend grip, forend grip pin, barrel and receiver are all stamped with #863 (see photos). Under the forend grip it also says Pat Decemer 18, 1877. The rifle features two side by side 12 gauge fixed full choke shotgun barrels with a 44-40. rifled barrel beneath. Rabbit ear percussion hammers and two triggers plus a barrel selection lever. The folding sight has a peep that is adjustable for height, or can be folded down all together.

This gun came to us from the great-grandson of a Michigan man. According to the great-grandson, his ancestor, Obediah Dodson, was a fur trapper. He acquired this rifle late in his life. It was an extravagance for him, but he was very proud of it and during the last hear of his life, while checking his traps, he carried it both for hunting opportunities and for protection against bears and wolves that were occasionally drawn in by his catch. The gun was passed down through the family, but never used again.

The barrels have darkened with age, as has the stocks. There is no rust on this gun, and everything appears to function as it should. We have not shot this rifle due to its age, but the hammers cock, and fall as they should. The action breaks open easily by pushing the front trigger forward. The bores are smooth and still have a lot of shine to them. The lower barrel has good lands and grooves with no rust or pitting. The rib is marked “L.C. Smith Maker of Baker Guns, Syracuse N.Y“. These guns were produced between 1880 and 1888 and are very rare.

The purpose of the Baker Three-Barrel Gun was stated in the 1884 catalog copy: “It is a fact too well known to need mention, that in going out for the purpose of killing small game with a shot gun, one is constantly having unexpected chances to shoot at larger game that a shot gun will either not reach at all, or fail to kill; and to those who are in the habit of hunting in localities where there are animals that are dangerous, and which are liable to be encountered at any moment without warning, this gun gives the possessor feelings of confidence and safety that are invaluable, to say nothing of the extra amount and actual value of the game that can be obtained by its use . . .”