Marlin 1894CBC Cowboy Competition .45 Colt 19 1/2″ Lever Action Rifle 2003
SOLD FOR: $1,206.00
LSB#: LSB250727DW019
Make: Marlin
Model: 1894CBC Cowboy Competition
Serial Number: 97202323
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The right side of the barrel is marked with Marlin’s two-line warning. The left side of the barrel is marked “1894 COWBOY COMPETITION” followed by “THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / **MODEL 1894CBC – CAL. 45 COLT**” and is also marked with the “JM” proof. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 19 1/2″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn U-notch sight on a riser, dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth American walnut with a straight grip, straight comb, Marlin plastic buttplate, capped forend, and Marlin “bullseye” in the belly. The LOP measures 13 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks show light wear, with scattered scratches, dings, and pressure dents throughout. The stocks fit the frame tightly, with no play. There are no chips or cracks. There is a leather wrap around the back of the buttstock. The wood underneath the wrap is in the same condition as the rest of the visible wood. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear, with thinning finish at the muzzle, and on the loading gate and on the right side of the receiver just behind the loading gate. There are light scattered scratches and light dings throughout the metal surfaces. The case color on the receiver and lever/trigger guard is still bright and vivid. The bluing on the barrel and magazine tube is deep and dark. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads range from tooled to sharp, but all retain strong and serviceable slots. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good to Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly as does the half-cock safety. The cross-bolt safety does not function. The trigger has a crisp and clean break. The bottom of the lever has a leather wrap around it. We have not fired this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Marlin 1894CBC Cowboy Competition is a compact, well-finished lever-action rifle that pairs a 19½-inch octagonal barrel with attractive case-colored receiver work and tidy walnut furniture. The metal retains approximately 90% of its original finish, and the blued barrel and magazine tube remain deep and dark. The two-piece walnut stocks fit the action tightly and present in Very Good condition with only light scattered handling marks and minor pressure dents. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and rates 10/10. The action cycles correctly and the trigger breaks crisp and clean as inspected. The half-cock safety functions properly, but the cross-bolt safety does not operate. The leather-wrapped lever is a practical detail that improves handling.
Chambered in .45 Colt, this cartridge was introduced in 1872 for the Colt Single Action Army and became a dominant frontier cartridge; it is still popular today in both traditional and modern smokeless loadings for hunting, cowboy action shooting, and recreational use.
This example is a well-presented 1894 Cowboy Competition rifle that will serve reliably on the range or in the field, and would make a beautiful addition to a Marlin collection. Please check out our high quality photos, and good luck on your bids! – J.D.
