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Another fake Spruce gun
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Troutdale, OR
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April 10, 2019 - 2:45 am
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Bert,

Do you have this one in your list of fakes?

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/807454221

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April 10, 2019 - 3:48 am
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Don,

Yes, I entered it earlier today (tip from another WACA forum user). That one brings the total to (19) known Fake Spruce Guns. On a positive note, I now have (228) verified authentic Spruce Guns.

Thanks,
Bert

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April 10, 2019 - 9:33 am
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How many unmarked plain spruce gun are around? I don’t think they are rare as I have one in my limited collection. 

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April 10, 2019 - 3:11 pm
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In the interest of education, anyone care to elaborate on the major red flags?

 

Steve

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April 10, 2019 - 3:33 pm
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nascar fan said
How many unmarked plain spruce gun are around? I don’t think they are rare as I have one in my limited collection.   

There is no such thing as an “unmarked plain” Spruce Gun.  If you have an unmarked Model 1894 SRC that is in the 830000 – 855000 serial number range, it was a commercial sales gun.  Keep in mind, that there were only 1,800 Model 1894 SRCs sold to the U.S. Government, and the known (verified) serial number range in which they are found includes a total of 25,000 possible serial numbers.

Bert

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April 10, 2019 - 3:48 pm
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supergimp said
In the interest of education, anyone care to elaborate on the major red flags?

 

Steve  

This first example is actually a bona fide Spruce Gun, but some moron stupidly added a fake “US” and flaming ordnance bomb to the top of the frame ring.  Not only did they add the fake markings, but they put them on upside down.

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=943&subcategory=977&sort=pricedesc&category=&product=w3469

 

This example is outside of the correct serial number range, and has incorrect font size & type for the “US” and the ordnance bomb is not correct.

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=943&subcategory=977&sort=pricedesc&page=2&category=&product=W4680

 

This third example is authentic, as it has the correct font type and placement of the “U S”, and it has the correct government used flaming ordnance bomb.

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=943&subcategory=977&sort=pricedesc&page=1&category=&product=W5938

 

Bert

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April 10, 2019 - 5:44 pm
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Thanks Bert. 

I cant get to my Spruce Gun right now (that you graciously confirmed for me a while back) but it will be interesting to compare. 

Steve

WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.

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May 19, 2019 - 11:40 pm
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Hi all, I contacted someone years ago about researching my Spruce Gun, but I don’t recall the outcome of the conversation. I purchased one of these rifles back around 1990. The serial number is #846731. John Rangel assured me the stampings were correct. What do you need from me to confirm this and to add me  to the list? Thank you, Mark

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May 19, 2019 - 11:49 pm
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Mark,

Send me clear pictures showing the ordnance markings on the top of the frame ring. Serial number 846731 is currently listed in the Spruce Gun survey as being authentic.

Bert – [email protected]

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September 20, 2019 - 2:37 am
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This one is in the correct serial number range, but hard to see the markings in the photos. 

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Military-Artifacts/Firearms/Winchester-1894-Lever-Rifle-30-wcf/lotInformation/50315758

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September 20, 2019 - 4:27 pm
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You would think that Montrose Auctions would post a picture of the military markings?

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September 21, 2019 - 1:05 am
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Colsuper said
This one is in the correct serial number range, but hard to see the markings in the photos. 

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Military-Artifacts/Firearms/Winchester-1894-Lever-Rifle-30-wcf/lotInformation/50315758  

It is a correct (original) Spruce Gun, and it was already in the survey.

Bert

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September 21, 2019 - 9:34 pm
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Bert,

thanks for the information.  Definitely not the best marketing by the auction house, it will be interesting to see what this carbine sells for.

Kevin 

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Jim D
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January 19, 2020 - 11:43 pm
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I acquired 849377 about a year ago. It has the correct markings, but missing the saddle ring. Is it on the list ? Thank you

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December 30, 2020 - 12:19 pm
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Did they every make a US and Ordinance marked 1894 but in .32 Winchester Special?  I saw one once in that caliber, and in the right serial number range, but thought they were all .30-30?

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December 30, 2020 - 5:52 pm
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AZshot said
Did they every make a US and Ordinance marked 1894 but in .32 Winchester Special?  I saw one once in that caliber, and in the right serial number range, but thought they were all .30-30?  

No, Winchester manufactured all of the government contract Model 1894 Carbines in 30 WCF only.  That included the 15,100 purchased by the French in the early years of WW I, the 5,000 purchased by the British Govenrment for WW I, the U.S. Government purchase of 1,800 (Spruce Guns) for WW I, and the 2,500 purchased by the Canadian Government during WW II for the PCMR.

Bert

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