Anyone know this Gunsmith?

[JimPag]

Bought a used Wichita 1375 3 lug SR rifle. Gunsmith who chambered this bbl is B. Baker. Anyone out there know who this gentleman is? Thanks.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Probably Billy Baker - wonder if that might be one that used to belong to my late friend Tom Kohli, he had a lot of guns done by Billy Baker including some Witchita.

 

[JimPag]

Joe. Here are a few pictures. It has the old McMillan hunter style stock that is both glued and screwed. I think it has a Canjar trigger. My friend who sold it to me told me that the previous owner who passed away was from the Augusta, GA area. He said Tom's name didn't sound familiar. He said the previous owner's wife was from Central America he said, maybe Brazil.

 

[357Mag]

JimPag -

I DK about the riflesmith.

Those Wichita 1375's are great actions ! Great buy !

Mine is S/N 15, and on barrel #4 .


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Bart B.]

Billy Gene Baker was a USN Chief Gunners Mate. A 16" turret captain on the battleship New Jersey in 1968. Was also an 11th and 9th Naval District small arms marksmanship instructor and shot rifle on the USN team. Often, with his wife, Bobbie, played cards with my wife and me when we were both stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He passed away some years ago.

 

[JimPag]

Billy Gene Baker was a USN Chief Gunners Mate. A 16" turret captain on the battleship New Jersey in 1968. Was also an 11th and 9th Naval District small arms marksmanship instructor and shot rifle on the USN team. Often, with his wife, Bobbie, played cards with my wife and me when we were both stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He passed away some years ago.

Thanks for the info Bart. Much appreciated.

 

[Tim s]

Joe. Here are a few pictures. It has the old McMillan hunter style stock that is both glued and screwed. I think it has a Canjar trigger. My friend who sold it to me told me that the previous owner who passed away was from the Augusta, GA area. He said Tom's name didn't sound familiar. He said the previous owner's wife was from Central America he said, maybe Brazil.

Those bring back memories.
My first serious BR buy was an add in PS magazine, HV on a 1375, McMillan stock, built by Fred Sinclair, painted by his then, in house stock guy, Tommy Meredith, Hart barrel, plus a sizing die, unfired,out the door $500.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Absolutely one of Tom's rifles, his wife is latino & a real doll of a gal through and through. Rifle was probably handled through one of his friends from Columbia, SC, who along with his son, helped Tom's widow dispose of Tom's guns & stuff.

 

[JimPag]

Absolutely one of Tom's rifles, his wife is latino & a real doll of a gal through and through. Rifle was probably handled through one of his friends from Columbia, SC, who along with his son, helped Tom's widow dispose of Tom's guns & stuff.

Thanks for the input Joe. I just mounted a scope on it yesterday and maybe sometime in May when this GD snow disappears I'll put it thru it's pace. By the way your pet project that you sold me shows some promising signs.