Why I need Photos

To all,

I am putting this post together to illustrate the common variations of the Model 1894 rifle. These differences are also applicable to the Model 1873 and 1892. It is EXTREMEMLY HARD to give an accurate answer when somebody asks "What is it worth" and that is all the info I have. I have included photos of rifles in various condition and hence price range.

Rifle #1 Standard Sporting Rifle Configuration.
These were available in either round or octagonal barrels The stock is straight grain walnut and not pistol gripped. The pictured rifle is in quite nice condition, dates to 1896 and would set you back about $4000. It has solid blue covering and little wear on the wood. This is very good condition.

Rifle #2: This rifle is the exact same style as above but the blueing is all gone on the right side of the receiver and partially on the left. It was probably "cleaned" of rust and flaking. This is typically a "good for its age" type of rifle but it is only worth about $1600. Quite a drop from the above. It was cleaned of most of its value.

2bit

Rifle #3: This rifle is a Deluxe version of the 1894. It has a round barrel and a shotgun butt as opposed to the crescent style. I personally do not like this butt style. To me it has lower value. They do sell much slower than crescent style rifles. Deluxe rifles also came with crescent shaped butts. Notice the checkered high quality walnut wood and the pistol grip stock. Deluxe rifles will be valued at a 50% premium over a standard rifle of the same vintage and quality. This one is only about a $4200 rifle because the bluing is poor on both the barrel and especially the receiver.

2bit

Rifle #4: The third configuration is the Saddle Ring Carbine. As the name implies it has a ring on the left side of the receiver. Later in the life of the Model 1894/94 it is the only configuration offered and the ring was omitted. All SRC's have round barrels. The most obvious tip off to this rifle are the metal bands that encircle the end of the barrel and the fore end and barrel. If your rifle has these it is an SRC. This one comes in around $2500 since it is in decent shape but not real good bluing on the receiver. The tang peep is a slight add. Maybe a hundred bucks.

2bit

Rifle #5: And coming in last place is an eleven hundred dollar SRC. Not a bad looking old rifle but lots of the bluing is gone from it. As you hopefully can see from these examples the value range can be all over the place. Major killer points are if any of the wood has been refinished. These are not furniture. Leave them as they are if you want to preserve value. DO NOT reblue them. They are worth more in poor condition than reblued.

This is how the collectors world views your rifle. It may be totally different than somebody who just wants an old gun to hang over the mantle or to hunt with. They may want a pretty gun and don't care that it is reblued. So there are no easy answers or one that is absolutely right. But if all you send me is a serial number and model and ask "How much", the range is going to be pretty wide. So send some photos and include a good detailed description.

One other thing to keep in mind. The values I have posted are retail numbers. What you might be able to sell the rifle for. If you try to sell your gun to a dealer or at auction you will get thirty to forty % less for it. It is like trading in a car.

Thanks
2bit