Stevens rifle

Question
What I see is, to the right of the sight, "J. Stevens A & T. Co., Chicopee Falls, Mass, USA Pat. APR 17.94".  I think there is a . between the 17 and the 94.  To the left of the sight, "25-STEVENS".  And behind the trigger, "0472".  On the butt, "STEVENS FAVORITE".

Thanks for your help.

Marian

> To: [email protected]
> Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:38:50 +0000
> From: [email protected]
> Subject: AllExperts Reply to your question
>
> Hello! The expert can't answer your question.
> Your Question was:
> I also fell heir to a J Stevens 25. The serial number on the underside is 0472. I know it belonged to my father and I think his father before him. Is there any way to determine the age of this firearm?
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> Marian,
>
>Sorry I can't help you. J. Stevens made a large number of .25 cal Stevens rifles. I need to have some information on the model that you might have to give you any idea of age at all.
Most of the time the model is stamped on the barrel just forward of the receiver or bolt.
>It might say something like "No. 12 Marksman" or "Favorite" with a number 17-29.
>
If you can supply me with any of this type of info, I can probably give you a pretty good range of dates.
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Answer
Marian,

The information you sent me helps a lot.  You have a J. Stevens Favorite No. 17.  The gun is calibered in Stevens .25 cal.  It is an obsolete caliber and the ammunition for this gun has not been manufactured since 1942.  They started manufacturing these guns in 1894 which is where the APR 17.94 patent date comes from.  The 0472 is probably the production number, but I am having trouble finding references that match what you have.  These guns can be worth a lot if they are in good condition.  If the barrel is an octagonal barrel, their value can increase by as much as a third.

This model was manufactured between 1894 and 1935.  There were quite a few guns made.  I have seen production numbers that range from 462,000 to over a million.  I suspect that it is closer to the smaller number.  

You should really have the gun looked at by someone who is an expert in collectable firearms if you want a proper valuation.

This is about the best I can do...unfortunately there is just not a lot of data available on these old rifles.

Hope this gives you a bit more info than you had...

Regards,

Doug