What are your thoughts ?The bore is bright with sharp rifling. Previous owner hunted with it on a regular basis. I didn’t see a cartouche on the stock but it looks like a ding on the bottom of the wrist behind the lever. Are there other pictures that might help? The serial number seems to fall in the group however, I have seen different sets of numbers cited that are reportedly in the ballpark. Rifle I believe is manufactured in 1918. Not sure if the stock wood is walnut or Gum wood. I recommended that the family not sell this at the garage sale as a beater 30/30. Thanks for the help.
digger said
What are your thoughts ?The bore is bright with sharp rifling. Previous owner hunted with it on a regular basis. I didn’t see a cartouche on the stock but it looks like a ding on the bottom of the wrist behind the lever. Are there other pictures that might help? The serial number seems to fall in the group however, I have seen different sets of numbers cited that are reportedly in the ballpark. Rifle I believe is manufactured in 1918. Not sure if the stock wood is walnut or Gum wood. I recommended that the family not sell this at the garage sale as a beater 30/30. Thanks for the help.
Looks like a typical Spruce Gun to me. Well worn, with proper US markings. No, they did not cartouche the stocks. Even in it’s current condition, it is worth more than a 95% condition standard M1894 of the period. I think there were 1,800 of these purchased by the US, putting them in the rare class. Cannot give you a value, but I sold mine years ago for $2,500. Big Larry
Digger,
It is an authentic Model 1894 Spruce Gun, and it definitely is not something to sell in a garage sale! It was actually manufactured in 1917, and was delivered to the U.S. Army in late 1917. The collector market for these is reasonably good, it should bring at least $3,000.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you gentlemen. I appreciate your expertise and incite. Im so glad yopu cleard up the ID. I was questioned at every LGS I brought it to. I was pretty sure it was the real deal but I had nrver seen an authenticated piece to copmpare it. What are your opinions regarding the stock? Walnut or Gum Wood?
digger said
What are your opinions regarding the stock? Walnut or Gum Wood?
Your pictures are too dark, and do not show enough of the stocks to answer your question. That stated, the vast majority of all the Model 1894 SRCs made during that time period were stocked with Gumwood.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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