Baker Sterling Grade Single Barrel Trap 12 Gauge – 32" Steel Barrel, Vent Rib, Factory Engraved
This Baker Gun Co. Sterling Grade Single Barrel Trap is a scarce, early American trap gun produced between 1909 and 1923, with total SBT output estimated at fewer than 3,000 units. It combines factory scroll and game-scene engraving with a robust steel action, matching numbers throughout, and an ejector system that was ahead of its time. Aftermarket upgrades—a raised ventilated rib and a Decelerator recoil pad—add shootability while preserving the gun’s classic lines and collectible appeal.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
There is mild exterior wear and light scuffing consistent with age. The forend tip has a small chip at the end. Barrel lock-up remains solid with service life still left before attention may be needed. The ejector functions crisply and the action feels sound.
What’s Included
- Leather-wrapped takedown hard case with green felt interior (non-original)
- 12 Gauge snap caps
Produced in Ithaca, New York, this shotgun represents the first American production single-barrel trap design. The Sterling Grade was Baker’s entry-level SBT, yet it still received hand-cut scroll, line-border, and game-scene engraving on the blued steel receiver.
The 32-inch steel barrel now wears an added raised ventilated rib, giving today’s shooter a higher sight picture while retaining the original twin-bead arrangement—a red front bead and brass mid-rib bead—for fast target alignment.
Its walnut Monte Carlo stock and semi-beavertail fore-end feature wrap-around checkering for secure purchase. An aftermarket Pachmayr Decelerator pad extends length of pull to 14.25 inches and softens recoil for modern trap sessions.
The break-action includes an automatic intercepting safety, a single non-selective trigger, and a stout ejector that launches spent hulls cleanly. Matching serial numbers on the action, fore-end iron, and wood confirm the gun’s factory integrity.
For collectors seeking a genuine piece of early 20th-century American trap history—yet still fully serviceable on the line—this Baker Sterling Grade offers a compelling blend of rarity, craftsmanship, and practical upgrades.