looking for info on my 1894

[Fly5465]

I'm pretty sure this is a model 1894, but not 100% positive.
This was my grandfathers shotgun and I've been trying to learn more about it.
Would like to know when it was made and its approx value.
(Its not for sale, as I'm sure worth more to me.)

Below is what I "think" I know....

It's a Damascus barrel
The serial number is 129xxx.
The Grade is "AE"
Choke #'s are 56 & 77
Fore grip has some small chipped areas near the top where it meets the barrels, also has a crack near the rear of the fore grip.
The buttstock is in fairly good condition, however there are some nicks and marks from the years. No cracks in buttstock, but the wood is dark near the grip area.
The bluing is probably about 40-50% (just a guess)
inside the barrel looks good with no pitting.

Thanks for any help.

[ForumAdmin]

I've never been a fan of partial serial numbers...

In this case it's either a very late 1903 or 1904 model 1894.


Mines nothing special but I really like it...

[2shooter]

I would not refinish the wood or metal the marks give it character that happen to it when your father or grandfather was hunting with it. Just carefully clean, wipe it down.

[dieNusse1]

1903 production ended with 129349 and 1904 started with 129350. That should indicate which year your '94 was made.

The AE grade was the basic field grade. Grades ran from AE to EE with Pigeon/Trap grades in the mix. As a WAG an AE grade in good condition might range in value of $1000 - 1200 while an EE grade $18,000 - 30,000. Condition, condition, condition.

From your description it sounds like it is in slightly less than good condition but priceless as far as family history is concerned.

[Fly5465]

Thank you all very much. The complete serial number of this gun is 129616. So it sounds like it would be a 1904?

Also, I have been reading more about condition and I'm guess it is in "fair" condition based on these items...

* approx 40% bluing remaining
* Crack and nick in forestock
* butt stock is missing the original butt plate. It has a "trimmed to fit" rubber piece (looks like a shoe sole, lol) on the rear.

[dieNusse1]

Sounds as if you have a well loved and used '94. If you plan to use it I'd use low powered loads. These weapons were designed for smokeless powder and many of us have fired 100's if not 1000's of rounds in the field and on the range. Of course it goes without saying that it should be examined by a smith but that should only be a formality.

As for any restoration I'd go along with 2shooter and just clean it up a bit. However you might want to replace the buttplate with a repro. They run around $15 or so on eBay or maybe someone on the forum has an extra one laying around. BTW - buttplates from 1889s and early 1900s are the same as used on the '94. One issue - does the buttstock still have the Nieder point or was the buttstock trimmed flat?

Also, you may want to stabilize the forehand wood and repair the crack. Other than that I would leave the gun alone and use it or hang it on the wall in a place of honor.

[Researcher]

The original butt plate on your gun should have looked like this --

Early Model 1900 butt plate.jpg (266.67 KiB) Viewed 7146 times

Early Model 1900 butt plate 02.jpg (30.43 KiB) Viewed 7146 times

[Researcher]

Here is the A-/AE-Grade page from the 1904-05 Remington Arms Co. catalog --

A- or AE-Grade 1904-05 Catalogue.jpg (122.7 KiB) Viewed 7140 times

Those prices are the "List Price" while the actual "Net Price" at which the guns actually sold was much less. In the Wm. Read & Sons of Boston catalog, and the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog the Net Prices were $35.00 and $40.00.

[Fly5465]

I don't think we will plan on shooting this one, we'll just clean it up a bit and leave as is.
Thanks for the info on replacement butt plates. I don't think this stock has been cut flat but it sure doesn't fit as nice as yours. I may look into a replacement.

[dieNusse1]

Just read (reread) the 1904-05 catalog page that Researcher posted. I guess it's never too late to learn new things. In this case I noticed that both the half and full pistol grips were available for the A grade ("full pistol grip made to order, at no extra charge"). I don't remember this being mentioned in Semmer's book. In the 1894 catalog description on page 132 only the half pistol grip is offered. Do we have pics that show the difference?

[Tamid]

dienusse1

"These weapons were designed for smokeless powder"

This statement seems to be in contradiction of Researchers ad from 1904 where the top wording says, "Guaranteed for Nitro Powder".

Which is it?

[dieNusse1]

Tamid

It's my understanding that smokeless & nitro powders are one and the same -- different names. Propellant, Cordite & Ballistite are among other names/terms also used around the world. Nitrocellulose compounds are used as the base with particle size, density, shape & formulation varied to produce the desired performance.