Spring 2026 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
February 26th, February 27th, February 28th, and March 1st, 2026
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
BAKER GUN CO. ELITE GRADE SINGLE BARREL TRAP SHOTGUN, ATTRIBUTED TO CLARK GABLE
25-4222
Cal. 12 GA, 2 5/8″.
S# 48810.
In 1980 Mr. Andy Lightbody, an antique arms collector and writer, was asked to help Clark Gables’ last wife Kathleen Spreckles-Gable with the private sale of some firearms that were the personal property of the renowned actor Clark Gable. The story of this scarce Elite Grade Baker trap gun as related by Mrs. Spreckles-Gable is that it was given to Clark as a gift by his then wife Carol Lombard in 1939. Eventually Mr. Lightbody purchased the gun in 1982. At the January 1983 Shot Show (Shoot Hunting Outdoor Trade Show) the gun was displayed in the Peterson Publishing Company booth. On the second day of the show noted actor Slim Pickens, who was a frequent shooting partner of Clark Gables visited the booth. He immediately recognized the shotgun. Turning the gun over he pointed out a hard to read engraving done in reverse on the trigger guard tang “Mine, not ours”. Slim said it was not only a joke to Carol as a tongue and cheek warning to keep her hands off of the gun, but also something that Clark wanted to show to everyone. In mid-1983 Slim Pickens contacted Mr. Lightbody and asked to buy the gun. An offer that was turned down. Bbl. 32″ with rnd. post donut base late style vent rib with fixed Full choke. Ivory front and mid beads. Scalloped boxlock action with selective ejector. Sides of action have vignettes marked “Baker Guns Company” over a pointing setter on left side and 2 flying mallards on the right side. Balance of action, forearm iron, trigger guard, and breech end of bbls. have foliate engraving with stippled backgrounds and fancy borders. Both sides of hinge pin have starburst engraving. The long tang has the aforementioned reverse engraving. Trim beavertail forearm and straight hand fancy walnut stock with elaborate segmented borderless hand checkering having additional panels on stock ears. LOP: 14 1/16″ over a Pachmayr Gripper style trap pad with foam inserts at heel and toe and a 3/16″ spacer. Comb has been lowered to shooter’s preferences. DAC: 1 1/2″. DAH: 1 7/8″. Neutral cast. Weight: 8lbs. 0.2oz. Mfg. 1909-1923. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: letter from Mr. Lightbody to John Gangle of Little John’s Auction Service dated November 6th, 1998. The letter relates the story of his acquisition of the gun and his meeting and viewing by Slim Pickens, and inquires about enlisting Little John’s assistance in finding a buyer. Also included are 3 photos of Slim Pickens holding this rare Baker shotgun at the 1983 Shot Show.
STATUS: CURIO
