Stevens "Favorite"- ID, Age,Value(UPDATED-w/ pics)
Hopefully someone here has a better idea what this is than I do. Appears to be a "favorite" but has color case-hardened receiver and 20" part-octagon barrel. Overall very good condition with little wear or marks. How can I determine year of mfg? Value? Thanks for any help.
Bottom of grip-marked "B 85"
Bottom of grip-marked "B 85"
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Hello bigt7mm...
First... VERY VERY nice looking old Stevens single-shot[^][:p][^]
Now, are you sure that the barrel is only 20-inches versus 22-inches (as measured to the breech opening)?
If it is 22-inches, you have a Standard Favorite No. 17, and with the name & address stamped on the barrel, it was made sometime between 1894 - 1915.
If it is actually only 20-inches, it is a Favorite Bicyle Rifle No. 21. The No. 21 was manufactured between circa 1898 - 1903.
Regardless of which one it is, that is a very fine looking Stevens single-shot rilfe... most that still survive are in no where near that nice of condition[^]!
Depending upon which specific variant it is, the value is at least $600 in that condition. If it is a No. 21, there are collectors out there that will part with considerably more to get that rifle.
One last note... it appears to have a British proof mark on the barrel. Does it have any similar marks on the frame?
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Bert's got it covered.
I just wanted to say that I've never seen a Favorite anywhere near that nice.And I've seen a bunch of them.
BW
IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.0 -
Only one I have ever seen that makes me REALLY want one. They are cute, that one is a beauty! 0 -
How's this for a Favorite? To tell the truth, it is a Favorite action, but is a Stevens Lady Model. 0 -
Now that's FANCY!! ,very nice.[^] [8D] 0 -
Thank you very much gentlemen. Especially you Bert H. The info was very helpful. It does appear to be the model 17 as it has a 22" barrel. An older fellow at work wants me to have this along with a Remington 121 Fieldmaster,in excellent condition,rather than letting it go to his stepsons,who,he believes,would quickly pawn the guns. He has made a most generous offer. Thanks again.
22" barrel
He even threw in some original ammo0 -
Whoa! I have a 44 done up with Swiss butt hook and an old Fecker style scope that has about that much case on it too, but as far as the rest of it goes, you have her beat hands down! This guy is obviously none too fond of the step-sons I guess! I would take this "generous offer" and run away giggling, especially if the 141 is anywhere near that good!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"When I was 14 I used to marvel at how ignorant my old man was...by the time I was 21 I was truelly amazed at how much the old bugger had learned in the intervening 7 years!" Samuel Clemens
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
By the way, what is the serial # range? Is it actually "85" which I see in the photo? If so, a 2 digit Favorite would be quite the coup!!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"When I was 14 I used to marvel at how ignorant my old man was...by the time I was 21 I was truelly amazed at how much the old bugger had learned in the intervening 7 years!" Samuel Clemens
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
1KYDSTR,thank you,and I do intend to take him up on the offer. I don't know much about these but according to everyone here this one is a nice example! The 121 is even better. I'll probably post pics of it,along with my other 121,on the General forum later.
The only #'s on the gun are the ones in the previous pic-"B 8 5" on the bottom grip-strap. I don't know if that is a serial # or not. I would still like to determine date of mfg.0 -
I wish I had better data on serialization, but that is where my 44 is marked, so I guess that's it? Bert or someone should be able to help out. Either way, nice gun and one that most of us grew up shooting and taking for granted. Once I had a shot at playing with savage 60's etc., the single shots didn't seem like much fun. Now that I'm older, sure wish I had held onto some of those old toys! Post pic's of the 121 when you get a chance...sounds like a winner too!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"When I was 14 I used to marvel at how ignorant my old man was...by the time I was 21 I was truelly amazed at how much the old bugger had learned in the intervening 7 years!" Samuel Clemens
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0
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