Stevens Favorite 25 cal

Question
QUESTION: Hi Doug,
I just bought a used Stevens Favorite, 25 cal with a peepsight.  The serial number of the gun is 20808. How can I determine how old this is and what it's worth?

Thanks much,
Bill

ANSWER: Bill,

I need a bit more info.  Since the serial number records are not great, I can probably tell you more if you can describe the gun itself.

The 'peepsight' that you refer to is probably a Lyman Tang Sight.  They were not fitted on all models.  

If you can give me some additional info:

1.  Is the barrel half round / half octagonal, all octagonal or all round.
2.  Is there any model referenced, for example does it say anything on the top tang?
3.  Are there any patent markings?  If so, do they reference specific dates (Apr 17, 94)
4.  Is there an 'SVG' inside a circle on the left side of the receiver?
5.  Is there a knurled knob on the takedown screw?

Give me a bit more info and I should be able to date and value it much more accurately.  The problem is there were several versions of the Favorite that were manufactured over a period between 1894 and 1935.

Thanks for your question.  I look forward to your follow up reply...

Regards,

Doug



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Doug,
Here is what I've found in response to your questions.
1.Barrel is 1/2 round,1/2 octagonal
2.Top of barrel is stamped with:

J STEVENS A&T CO.
CHICOPEE FALLS MASS USA PAT APR 17,94

Side of barrel is stamped:
25-STEVENS

3.see above
4. can't find SVG stamp
5.Takedown screw has an end that includes a metal loop

serial number includes an A--it is, A 208 08

There is a 2 stamped on the left side of the lever action that you see when it is opened.

Thanks for your help. I look forward to your answers,
Bill

Answer
Bill,

What you have is a model 1894, No. 19.  My best guess is that it was produced between 1898 and 1910.

These rifles can be highly collectable depending on the condition.  Values on these can be as little as $400 or as much as $4000.  You really need to have an antique firearms dealer take a look at it and give you an appraisal.  The Blue Book of Gun Values places the value at the lower end of this scale.  For more collectable models, it can be significantly higher.

There is no real way to tell anything by a number or combination of numbers & a letter that appears to possibly be a serial number.  It is suspected that the factory used a series of letters & numbers to some preset upper number like say 1,000 or 10,000 or even 100,000 & assigned a letter to that block of numbers, like A, F, or W.   When that upper number was reached for that letter, they picked another letter & started over.  Now this is not to say that these letters were in alphabetical order either.   Some manufacturers would assign higher numbers at the start of a model to fool the competition into thinking they were making a lot of guns.  What I am saying is that no one really knows how many of these guns were made or even a numbering sequence.

That's really about all I can tell you...I'd get that appraisal.  It could be worth a lot.

Regards,

Doug