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Allen Hasselborg 1894 WInchester

10turkeys
We are looking for information and an idea of value on a rifle we bought while in Alaska this year. It is an 1894 Winchester. After removing the buttplate we found a hand carved signature "A Hasselborg Juno" inscribed on the butt of the stock. Any information or direction in how we could value the rifle would be appreciated :)
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8 comments

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  • Bert H.
    Hello,

    The name "Allen Hasselborg" means nothing, nor does thehand carved signature.

    What will affect the value of the gun is the following;

    1. The graded condition (pictures would help to pin that down)
    2. The specific configuration (e.g. variation, caliber, and any special order features)
    3. The authenticity of the gun (is it still 100% factory original?)
    4. When was it manufactured (pre-1899 or post 1898)?
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  • tocamoha
    How do you know the "A" stands for Allen?The value will depend on the factory originality and the graded condition .You're lucky he carved it under the butt plate.
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  • JohnnyBGood
    quote:Originally posted by 10turkeys
    We are looking for information and an idea of value on a rifle we bought while in Alaska this year. It is an 1894 Winchester. After removing the buttplate we found a hand carved signature "A Hasselborg Juno" inscribed on the butt of the stock. Any information or direction in how we could value the rifle would be appreciated :)


    Being able to identify a firearm to a specific individual might increase its value. This will depend upon the strength of your provenance/documentation, and the exploits and notoriety of the individual.

    You have a partial name, a location, and, if you have/get a factory letter showing the shipping date, you will have a beginning time frame to work with. Lacking the factory letter the serial number can give you an approximate date range. Of course, keep in mind that "A. Hasselborg" may not have been the original owner so he could have entered the picture long after the shipping date.

    And finally, all this is moot if there is any doubt about the authenticity of the "carving".

    So start your research, find out what you can about your "A. Hasselborg" from Juno, and you MAY get lucky and find mention about his Winchester rifle in an old newspaper article, court records, etc. Chances are slim to none of getting lucky, but it does happen. I'm happy to say that I've gotten lucky with a few such research projects of my own (along with a good many dead ends [:)]).

    Johnny
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  • yblockhead
    I had a similar experience a couple years ago when I bought a pump 22. Found a paper drivers license from 1929 rolled up in the stock screw hole. The name was rather unusual, so I did the computer search and found the grandson. Communicated back and forth and got a complete history of the rifle up until the family sold it. I still have the rifle, and the family has grampa's drivers license
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  • hrf
    Most of us in USA have never heard of him, but google finds him: http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Man-Admiralty-Island-Lanternlight/dp/0912006811
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  • martinphoto1
    Maybe you hit the jackpot with a former owner: I found a breif bio on one Allen E. Hasselborg:

    "a rugged loner and self-taught naturalist who came to southeastern Alaska in 1901 to seek his fortune in the awe-inspiring wilderness but found his destiny instead. In the process, this sturdy Midwesterner learned the skills of a prospector, fisherman, trapper, guide, boatbuilder, and homesteader.

    At all these things he eventually excelled, but his greatest fame came from his greatest skill: he was a peerless bear hunter. He joined several natural history expeditions and worked for about ten years as a specimen collector and guide. He later guided sportsmen and photographers interested in Southeastern's wildlife and majestic natural beauty. As his respect for the great brown bears increased, he lost his interest in killing them, and his experiences inspired conservationists who lobbied to protect Admiralty Island from logging.

    Hasselborg's keen wit, fierce independence, and eccentric ways attracted much attention during his lifetime. He was an extraordinary man who was in some ways a perfectly ordinary Alaskan of his time"

    Marty
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  • kimi
    quote:Originally posted by hrf
    Most of us in USA have never heard of him, but google finds him: http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Man-Admiralty-Island-Lanternlight/dp/0912006811



    Now that is interesting, indeed. The "Juno" following his last name would stand for Juneau, more likely than not. If Alaska can be tied to the rifle, this will make for a great story.
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  • andrewsw16
    "IF" the carving is original. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fakes out there. How many old rifles have been carved with "Kit Carson" or "Buffalo Bill"? But, if you can get some provenance, then you will have some added value.
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