Henry Rifle Forums

I tend to like personalizing my firearms in some way or another, so I'd like to get y'alls opinion on doing this to my BBSC.

I have a few very nice 1890's Morgan dollars, and was thinking about embedding (inletting) a couple in the butt stock. I have the tools and skills to do this, so what do y'all think about putting a couple on? - Obverse on one side (shown), Reverse on opposite side.

I like it Gunny, you have my vote!

Very cooooool idea. I like it!

This kind of thing requires a certain degree of courage. Once you start removing wood, there's no turning back, or changing your mind later on unless you buy a new buttstock. I don't plan on running out to the shop anytime soon, but will ponder this for a while.

Keep the comments coming.

GunnyGene wrote:This kind of thing requires a certain degree of courage. Once you start removing wood, there's no turning back, or changing your mind later on unless you buy a new buttstock. I don't plan on running out to the shop anytime soon, but will ponder this for a while.

Keep the comments coming.

Not that you are not capable on your own, however, if it was me, I would not hesitate to get Carver's input. Couldn't hurt. I still like the idea though!! Hope you go for it...

markiver54 wrote:

GunnyGene wrote:This kind of thing requires a certain degree of courage. Once you start removing wood, there's no turning back, or changing your mind later on unless you buy a new buttstock. I don't plan on running out to the shop anytime soon, but will ponder this for a while.

Keep the comments coming.

Not that you are not capable on your own, however, if it was me, I would not hesitate to get Carver's input. Couldn't hurt. I still like the idea though!! Hope you go for it...

What I'll likely do is hotglue the coins on and put it on my wall display for a few weeks to help me decide if I really want to do this.

One of the issues is that the stock is curved, so getting the coin seated at the proper depth would be a bit tricky. Don't want to bend the coin, and the only other way to get it flush all the way around would require some judicious sanding and refinishing.

GunnyGene wrote:

markiver54 wrote:

GunnyGene wrote:This kind of thing requires a certain degree of courage. Once you start removing wood, there's no turning back, or changing your mind later on unless you buy a new buttstock. I don't plan on running out to the shop anytime soon, but will ponder this for a while.

Keep the comments coming.

Not that you are not capable on your own, however, if it was me, I would not hesitate to get Carver's input. Couldn't hurt. I still like the idea though!! Hope you go for it...

What I'll likely do is hotglue the coins on and put it on my wall display for a few weeks to help me decide if I really want to do this.

One of the issues is that the stock is curved, so getting the coin seated at the proper depth would be a bit tricky. Don't want to bend the coin, and the only other way to get it flush all the way around would require some judicious sanding and refinishing.

Sounds like a good idea before committing, and I hear ya! Was wondering about the curvature issue as well....

That's a cool idea, but I think I'd opt for a personalized leather buttstock cover instead....

I am curious about not wanting to match the stock curve. It certainly can be done. Is it a value issue of the coin?

Cofisher wrote:I am curious about not wanting to match the stock curve. It certainly can be done. Is it a value issue of the coin?

Partly. Given the condition, age, and mint marks on the ones I'm considering using, each coin is worth approx $100+ numismatic value. Morgan values vary from about $30 for common "Average condition" coins to over $20,000 for rare Mint condition coins.

GunnyGene wrote:

Cofisher wrote:I am curious about not wanting to match the stock curve. It certainly can be done. Is it a value issue of the coin?

Partly. Given the condition, age, and mint marks on the ones I'm considering using, each coin is worth approx $100+ numismatic value. Morgan values vary from about $30 for common "Average condition" coins to over $20,000 for rare Mint condition coins.

I have a 1864....wrong mint mark though...

markiver54 wrote:

GunnyGene wrote:

Cofisher wrote:I am curious about not wanting to match the stock curve. It certainly can be done. Is it a value issue of the coin?

Partly. Given the condition, age, and mint marks on the ones I'm considering using, each coin is worth approx $100+ numismatic value. Morgan values vary from about $30 for common "Average condition" coins to over $20,000 for rare Mint condition coins.

I have a 1864....wrong mint mark though...

You don't have a Morgan dollar. They weren't produced until 1878 and the last ones were minted in 1921. You might want to take a closer look at it, but I'd bet it's an 1864 Seated Liberty. Worth about $400 to $9000 depending on condition:

https://www.usacoinbook.com/coins/3141/ ... ty/1864-P/

GunnyGene wrote:

markiver54 wrote:

GunnyGene wrote:
Partly. Given the condition, age, and mint marks on the ones I'm considering using, each coin is worth approx $100+ numismatic value. Morgan values vary from about $30 for common "Average condition" coins to over $20,000 for rare Mint condition coins.

I have a 1864....wrong mint mark though...

You don't have a Morgan dollar. They weren't produced until 1878 and the last ones were minted in 1921. You might want to take a closer look at it, but I'd bet it's an 1864 Seated Liberty. Worth about $400 to $9000 depending on condition:

https://www.usacoinbook.com/coins/3141/ ... ty/1864-P/

CORRECTION! have not had it out for a long time, i's a 1884. Very tarnished.

markiver54 wrote:
CORRECTION! have not had it out for a long time, i's a 1884.
20190401_145657.jpg
Very tarnished.

Tarnish isn't that important in judging condition. Wear of the details of the image (hair, edge, etc.) is what counts. I'm not an expert in coin grading, but I'd put yours as "good" - $30-$50.

Here's the NGC grading scale, if you want to try grading yours. https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-grading/grading-scale/

Thanks Gunny. Did a little research online since last post and appears you are right. Can't really even see the mint mark below the eagle. Whether P,S,O or CC, they seem to all have close to the same value with the CC being slightly higher than the others by only a couple dollars. If I had to say, I think mine is the P. Oh well, no biggie!

markiver54 wrote:Thanks Gunny. Did a little research online since last post and appears you are right. Can't really even see the mint mark below the eagle. Whether P,S,O or CC, they seem to all have close to the same value with the CC being slightly higher than the others by only a couple dollars. If I had to say, I think mine is the P. Oh well, no biggie!

It probably never had a mint mark to start with, which means it was minted in Philly. Tons of them are that way. Those guys were a little slack occasionally.

GunnyGene wrote:

markiver54 wrote:Thanks Gunny. Did a little research online since last post and appears you are right. Can't really even see the mint mark below the eagle. Whether P,S,O or CC, they seem to all have close to the same value with the CC being slightly higher than the others by only a couple dollars. If I had to say, I think mine is the P. Oh well, no biggie!

It probably never had a mint mark to start with, which means it was minted in Philly. Tons of them are that way. Those guys were a little slack occasionally.

Ya mean I strained my eyes for nothing... Makes sense though. Acquired it from my brother in law in New Jersey about 40 years ago. He had it on a fancy belt buckle. Probably thought he could keep it polished dancing with the ladies.

markiver54 wrote:

GunnyGene wrote:

markiver54 wrote:Thanks Gunny. Did a little research online since last post and appears you are right. Can't really even see the mint mark below the eagle. Whether P,S,O or CC, they seem to all have close to the same value with the CC being slightly higher than the others by only a couple dollars. If I had to say, I think mine is the P. Oh well, no biggie!

It probably never had a mint mark to start with, which means it was minted in Philly. Tons of them are that way. Those guys were a little slack occasionally.

Ya mean I strained my eyes for nothing... Makes sense though. Acquired it from my brother in law in New Jersey about 40 years ago. He had it on a fancy belt buckle. Probably thought he could keep it polished dancing with the ladies.

I was actually trying to be a little humorous. Philly didn't start putting a "P" on their coinage until 1942, so you won't ever see it on a Morgan dollar.

Here's a little history of mint marks for Philly and the other branch mints. It's one way to spot a counterfeit: https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/coin-production

The not being able to seat it uniformly would be the issue I would have with it. Not sure how flattening the area would look.

I would price a new stock before moving forward. Just in case.

GunnyGene wrote:One of the issues is that the stock is curved, so getting the coin seated at the proper depth would be a bit tricky. Don't want to bend the coin, and the only other way to get it flush all the way around would require some judicious sanding and refinishing.

right up front, I have no wood working skills whatsoever .... in looking at our BBS, I noted the curved stock and wondered how you would handle ..