Which stevens favorite is this?

[gunrunner44]

I have looked around and it seems there is some contradictory info on these little .22s. I'll give a list of what I have seen as primary indicators.

There is a combo round/octagon barrel that is round where the barrel meets the forestock and octagon along the top until the forestock ends, from that point the barrel is fully round.

No ring on takedown screw, 4 screws on side of breechblock, no sideplate from what I see.

The extractor catches the shell from the bottom.

End of stock says "Stevens Favorite"

Confusing for me trying to pin it down, tho somebody will ID it from a mile away.

Thanks in advance.

j. stevens A&T co. chicopee falls, mass., u.s.a., pat.apr.17.94.
22 long rifle
lever action single shot breech loading rifle
382 stamped on receiver tang near stock

[TRAP55]

Late Model 1894. Being a .22LR it was made between 1906 and 1915. If that tang screw is tight, it's had some serious sanding done on the stock. The orange color on the receiver is from a re-blue on a color case hardened receiver.

[gunrunner44]

Thanks. I thought the color was from a reblue as I have seen that odd look before on other guns. I assume that knocks the value down for collectors. Have a friend of family who is interested, thoughts as to a fair price?

[edgerly779]

I have same rifle wit finer wood and longer octagonal barrel and same color purple on receiver. I don't think 2 rifles years apart and same color were reblued.

[TRAP55]

edgerly, there's only two things that cause that color, and both are caused by a hot blue. One is the metallurgy, like case hardening or cast parts, the other if it's left in the blueing tank too long. "Plum" bolts on a refurbed SVT-40 ring a bell?
It's not uncommon to see on the Stevens Favorites, receivers were color cased, the receiver is the balance point when it was carried, and the color case wasn't near the quality of Winchester or Marlins. At that time period, majority were just a tool for getting meat on the table, so they got used alot, color case got worn off, and they got blued.
gunrunner's rifle has other signs too.
You'll see "dishing" around screw/pin holes from buffing, sharp corners rounded off from buffing too. Barrel stamp letters worn down, but have a nice blue on them. Knowing the receivers were color case, if it was worn off or faded, the receivers would appear a silver color, and the colors would still be visible in covered areas.
When you see a Turnbull restored Winchester, you won't find any of that, that's why he gets the big bucks.

[Bainter1212]

OP.....if you want to sell your Favorite.....let me know. I am in the market for a good functional one with a decent bore.