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powderhead
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Stevens "Hardware Store Brands"
Jul 2nd, 2009 at 12:11am
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I have what is a Stevens mod. 16 (Thumb Safety) marked "Marvel" and with no other markings which identify it as a Stevens.  I know that it is a Stevens and that they made other models which I call hardware store brands.  What I am wondering is whether these have any more higher value due to their rarity.  This one is the only hardware brands I have.  Unless they are unusually nice examples or rare, as is my (thumb safety), I pass on these when I see them.  I suppose I do this as I like my guns to say Stevens on them.  What do you know about these?
  
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slumlord44
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Re: Stevens "Hardware Store Brands"
Reply #1 - Jul 2nd, 2009 at 1:10am
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Good question. I have a .22 single shot bolt action marked Whitte Hardware that is a Stevens. Got it from my uncle's estate and it has sentimental value to me. Normaly these kinds of guns would have a lower market value. A Winchester 94 with the Sears name on it for example. When you are talking a low end gun to begin with, I do not think it would make much difference either way. I sometimes buy the oddly marked guns if they are reasonable just because they are different. I realy do not know how the value would be affected if it were a rare and valuable model with a hardware store brand name on it. To me they are all part of the history of the gun manufacturer and of interest. Other opinions??
  
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red_stevens
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Re: Stevens "Hardware Store Brands"
Reply #2 - Jul 2nd, 2009 at 1:11am
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The hardware brands usually sell for less because, like you, most collectors want their guns to say Stevens on them.  The same holds true for Savage store marked guns and there were lots of them.  Some of the ones I know of include Sears, Ranger , Wards Western Field, Western Auto, Keystone, Premier, etc... and these are the major ones.  There were some for much small local companies as well.
Red
  
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Green_Frog
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Re: Stevens "Hardware Store Brands"
Reply #3 - Jul 2nd, 2009 at 7:10am
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The only exception to the previous discussion that I have noticed is that if the "hardware brand" has a local interest, then it may add a bit of a premium in that locality.  For example, here in Lynchburg, VA there was a sporting goods store called SO Fisher.  I can always expect to pay a premium locally for otherwise quite low-end pieces with the SO Fisher roll mark.

Froggie
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Stevens "Hardware Store Brands"
Reply #4 - Jul 2nd, 2009 at 7:08pm
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Yea, or "Browning Bros." too! Wink For some odd reason they get premiums????
  

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