Marlin Model 1894 Carbine — .357 Magnum Lever Action Rifle – MFD 1982

SOLD FOR: $1,280.03
Make: Marlin
Model: 1894 Carbine
Serial Number: 18103303
Year of Manufacture: 1982
Caliber: .38 Special and .357 Magnum
Action Type: Side Ejecting Lever Action with Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “The Marlin Firearms Co. New Haven, Conn., U.S.A. / Model 1894—Carbine-Micro-Groove—Cal. .357 Magnum”. It also has a “JM” proof mark next to the receiver. The top tang is marked “18103303”.
Barrel Length: 18 ½”
Sights / Optics: The rifle is mounted with a semi- buckhorn leaf rear sight with elevator present. The front sight is a dovetail set beaded blade.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are smooth varnished dark walnut with a nice grain. The straight grip buttstock has a black plastic buttplate with white spacer and a Marlin Bullseye in the belly. There are no mentionable marks on the stock or on the forend. The plastic buttplate is checkered with just a few marks and one small puncture. The LOP measures 13 ½”. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: All metal parts are blued steel. The top of the receiver is flat. The top and bottom of the receiver and the tang have a dull matte finish while the rest of the rifle has a polished finish. The hammer has sharp serrations.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the microgroove rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is a slight storage rub on the top of the barrel in front of the barrel band. There are also a few surface marks on the chamber. The frame has a handful of storage marks. With this all said, the rifle has probably been shot less than 100 times and the internal indications of wear are very light. The markings are sharp and clear. The crew heads are sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine to Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This rifle uses a half-cock notch on the hammer as a safety. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The current Model 1894 is based on the Model 336 action scaled down for pistol-sized cartridges and parts are not interchangeable with the original Model of 1894. So far, over one million Model 1894 rifles have been sold. In the mid-1990s, Marlin changed the .357 and .44 barrels from 12-groove-or-more “Micro-Groove” rifling to 6-groove “Ballard” style rifling to better handle the lead bullets used by Cowboy Action shooters. This rifle is in remarkable condition given its age, and would make a great addition to a collection or as a gift to a young shooter. Heck the current World Speed Shooting Record, with a lever action rifle is held with a Marlin 1894