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December 1, 2020
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Hello, I am looking to find out an approximate value and a determination of the rarity of this rifle.
1894 Carbine
Pistol grip
Rifle butt
checkered
Lyman front and rear sight.
All verified by the letter. I have attached photos and a copy of the letter. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Pavy2393
April 15, 2005
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Your Model 1894 SRC is a rare configuration, but the graded condition is lacking and negatively influences the value in the collector market. Pistol gripped SRCs are not common, and one with a “Rifle” butt puts it in the “rare” category.
These are the issues that I see that will negatively affect the value;
1. The 3-leaf Express sight is damaged (broken leaf).
2. The crescent butt plate has a fair amount of scaly rust patches all over it.
3. The stocks are a bit worse for wear, and the checkering is weak (possibly an old sand & refinish job).
4. The barrel bands are either replacements, or have been refinished (the front barrel band is installed backwards).
5. The original factory bluing on the receiver frame is very thin, and no case colors remain on the lever & hammer.
6. The barrel has freckled rust spots all over it (I suspect the magazine tube does as well).
You did not mention the condition of the bore, and the early 25-35 WCF caliber guns are frequently found with poor bores.
Most (but not all) Model 1894 collectors would pass this rifle up in the search for a better one. Those that might be interested in it, are going to balk if the price tag exceeds $1,500.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 19, 2006
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All of Bert’s points are good ones. However, I have the feeling the asking price is more than $1500. Am I right?
Edit:
Oops, I had assumed this carbine was being offered for sale. I see now that perhaps the poster already owns it. As far as value, I think the chambering helps a lot. And of course, the rarity of a pistol grip checkered carbine combined with the rare crescent butt. It does have a lot going for it.
April 1, 2005
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steve004 said
All of Bert’s points are good ones. However, I have the feeling the asking price is more than $1500. Am I right?Edit:
Oops, I had assumed this carbine was being offered for sale. I see now that perhaps the poster already owns it. As far as value, I think the chambering helps a lot. And of course, the rarity of a pistol grip checkered carbine combined with the rare crescent butt. It does have a lot going for it.
Steve/Bert – I am imagining this same gun, 98% and taking up space in my safe! This is a configuration and caliber combination which I don’t ever remember seeing. I have had both 92 and 94 carbines with pistol grips and rifle butts, which lettered, but they were not checkered. When these checkered carbines do turn up, is the checkering generally the I pattern or just as likely to be H pattern?
April 15, 2005
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Burt,
If the stocks are plain straight grain, the I-pattern was used. Fancy grain walnut is nearly always found with H-pattern checkering.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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I really like unusual configurations, I’d probably pay a little too much for this carbine if the bore is good.
Mike
November 19, 2006
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TXGunNut said
I really like unusual configurations, I’d probably pay a little too much for this carbine if the bore is good.
Mike
My sentiments precisely.
Here’s another very special order carbine that haunts me. I passed on it 9 years ago. It was a lot of money. Still, in nine years I haven’t found another:
1894 SRC semi-deluxe, #1000xxx, 32-40, plain pistol grip uncheckered w/carbine butt and stainless barrel, 80% japan finish, 95% magazine, 30% receiver, excellent wood and bore. $8500.
Can’t own them all 😉
April 15, 2005
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steve004 said
My sentiments precisely.
Here’s another very special order carbine that haunts me. I passed on it 9 years ago. It was a lot of money. Still, in nine years I haven’t found another:
1894 SRC semi-deluxe, #1000xxx, 32-40, plain pistol grip uncheckered w/carbine butt and stainless barrel, 80% japan finish, 95% magazine, 30% receiver, excellent wood and bore. $8500.
Can’t own them all 😉
Steve,
It was serial number 1000890, and positively a “one-of-a-kind” Model 94.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 19, 2006
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Bert H. said
Steve,
It was serial number 1000890, and positively a “one-of-a-kind” Model 94.
Bert
Oh WOW! There it is – thanks Bert. Just a wonderful piece. My skin is crawling with lust for it. Great to see it. Yes, “one of a kind”… that could have been owned by me. “It’s only money.”
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