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Can anyone advise if an original blank tang (m1894) adds value & how much ?(First variation model.
AG
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In my experience, mismarked Winchesters do not bring any extra (premium) value. While they are an oddity, they are not like collectable coins.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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AG said
Can anyone advise if an original blank tang (m1894) adds value & how much ?(First variation model.AG
It’s easy to forget that demand, not rarity, is what actually governs collector value; otherwise, scarcer Remington revolvers would be worth more than Colts! And while rarity often stimulates demand, it ain’t necessarily so! I think most collectors interested in this model very much want to see that classic “Model 1894” marking, and find even the later “Model 94” marking less appealing; at any rate, I do.
Maybe I don’t read between the lines well, but what are we talking about here? You say “first variation”…are you talking about the first variation of the model 1894 or the first variation of the blank tang models which was around 1942 I think.
Appreciate the replies. It appears there is no extra value to be added for original blank tang, & I’m referring to first variation of the model 1894(specifically DOM 1894 with 3 digit serial number).
AG
Well I don,t know about everyone else but I would probably pay a premium for a mismarked Winchester if it’s on my want list. You can call Me silly but I think these “oddballs” are very collectable , Like the ’94 with the error patent date, or the 1st mod. You have with a blank tang, I’ll bet no one else has one. What kind of cond. is it in and what cal. and configuration.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
I tend to agree with Henry, if I had two first models, all things being equal, and one had the tang marking and the other didnt, Id probably buy the one that didnt. Maybe there isnt much more value between the two regardless of how they are marked, but would rather have the one that is not marked because it is an oddity.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
I cannot disagree with those who have responded to the subject question as they have clarified their views very well. The big picture that Clarence presented was especially informative and nailed the answer in the general sense, but I’m like Henry and 1892takedown where my taste for rare features are concerned, and I think some people probably have the right connections to move something like this at a premium.
James
I would take the one with the tang logo ever time simply because I would not want to try and convince any buyers that I had a rare item verses a re-worked gun. That does not go well most of the time. Most people who buy Winchesters are not educated on the subject at all. Just my opinion
Eagle said
I would take the one with the tang logo ever time simply because I would not want to convince any buyers that I had a rare item verses a re-worked gun. Most people who buy Winchesters are not educated on the subject at all. Just my opinion
Eagle, I believe the points you address are the standards for a lot of people where some rare features might be concerned. OTOH, this type of issue not only inspires other folks to enter into an educational setting, but also provides a great deal of fun, conversation, and trading along the way.
James
Henry Mero said
Well I don,t know about everyone else but I would probably pay a premium for a mismarked Winchester if it’s on my want list. You can call Me silly but I think these “oddballs” are very collectable , Like the ’94 with the error patent date, or the 1st mod. You have with a blank tang, I’ll bet no one else has one. What kind of cond. is it in and what cal. and configuration.
It’s a brown gun, lots of well oiled kisses but still decent wood & bore with 3 digit serial. It’s a 38-55.
Eagle said
I would take the one with the tang logo ever time simply because I would not want to convince any buyers that I had a rare item verses a re-worked gun. Most people who buy Winchesters are not educated on the subject at all. Just my opinion
Right!
This is a rarity that can be a problematic one.
Better to stick with rarities that can be documented in a letter, or if not letterable, are ones that add value, such as 1/2 octagon 1/2 round barrels, fancy walnut stocks, and set triggers.
Mistakes or omissions in factory markings are found rather often on Stevens rifles. Because Stevens collectors are more or less used to seeing them, they don’t normally hurt a gun’s value, but most definitely, they don’t increase it, not in the slightest degree. Other things being equal, I know no Stevens collectors (of which I am one) who wouldn’t prefer to see the right markings in the right places. This kind of “rarity” results from a worker being careless, hung-over, etc., and for that situation, I can’t get excited about paying extra.
clarence said
Mistakes or omissions in factory markings are found rather often on Stevens rifles. Because Stevens collectors are more or less used to seeing them, they don’t normally hurt a gun’s value, but most definitely, they don’t increase it, not in the slightest degree. Other things being equal, I know no Stevens collectors (of which I am one) who wouldn’t prefer to see the right markings in the right places. This kind of “rarity” results from a worker being careless, hung-over, etc., and for that situation, I can’t get excited about paying extra.
As said in another blank tang thread, it would’ve had to pass through several inspections & stages in the assembly phases, so either they were all hungover or careless, or wasn’t a factory priority to pull them from leaving without the tang markings. I’m 50/50 which one I would pick all other considerations the same.
AG
My personal opinion: I’ll take a mark over a missing mark. I’d take an upside-down mark over a proper mark, but I want the factory mark.
I’m not convinced that this rifle is original or mismarked, for that matter. However, if it is original, what are the chances that it might be a prototype that, for example, was given or sold to an employee? In other words why bastardize a rifle of such great importance?
James
Id be interested in knowing the exact SN range it occurs and how many, the dates they were shipped, and if there is they are a part of the same order, or not when shipped. Pure speculation, but they are found at the beginning of the 1894 production when they are trying to crank out production, is it possible the roller die used was damaged and it took several days to make another, and some went unstamped to keep up with orders? Im not aware of any blank tang 1892’s, and if not, then it wouldnt appear it was a company decision on the fly to not stamp the upper tangs (keeping in mind the 1873/1876 open tops). There has to be a logical reason, surely it didnt go unnoticed but was obviously acceptable during that short period of time.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
AG said
…wasn’t a factory priority to pull them from leaving without the tang markings.
Yes, that’s not hard to believe after the gun had been fully assembled, especially considering that there was probably pressure to get the new model ready for distribution. If the omission was noticed by an inspector before the barrel & other parts were installed, I’d be surprised that nothing was done about it.
Is it known at what stages of assembly inspections were carried out?
Chris,
In my research survey of the Model 1894 (serial numbers 1 – 7499), I have documented (408) thus far, and just (2) of them have a blank upper tang… serial number 8 and serial number 714. I believe AG is referring to serial number714. Several years ago, I encountered serial number 714, and it is my personal belief that the upper tang has been fooled with. It was not a rifle that walked out of the factory in an employee’s hands (lunch-box special), as it was entered in the factory warehouse ledger (coming in from the assembly room on 12/6/1894, and out of the warehouse on 12/8/1894, order #3565. It went through the Polishing Room on 11/16/1894.
Further, (to the best of my knowledge) none of the other Models (1873, 1876, 1890, 1892, etc.) made it out of the factory with a blank upper tang, which leads to the question, Why just the Model 1894?
Like some of the other fellows, I would not pay a premium for a Winchester that is missing a factory marking.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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