Marlin 1894 CB Cowboy Limited .45 Colt 24″ Octagon Lever Action Rifle

SOLD FOR: $1,222.97

LSB#: LSB260408DC003

Make: Marlin

Model: 1894CB, 1894 Cowboy Limited

Serial Number: 04037295

Year of Manufacture: 1996

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 LIMITED” followed by “THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / **MODEL 1894CB – 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: 24”, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade that is dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf U notch semi buckhorn with elevator that is dovetailed into the barrel. The left side of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a peep sight. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope base. There is a Marbles peep sight installed on the tang with one screw.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece checkered walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, with checkered plastic Marlin buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. There are light scratches and compression dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Very Good condition. 

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. Some fouling is present. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.  

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light operation wear on the hammer and action. There are a few light scratches scattered throughout. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a receiver-mounted cross-bolt safety. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Marlin 1894CB Cowboy Limited is a desirable JM-marked North Haven production lever-action rifle, and this 1996 example is chambered in .45 Colt with a 24” octagonal barrel and full-length tubular magazine. The Cowboy Limited configuration gives the rifle strong traditional appeal, with its long octagon barrel, straight-grip walnut stocks, checkered furniture, and classic barrel-mounted sights. This rifle is also equipped with a Marble’s tang peep sight installed with one screw, while the receiver is drilled and tapped for both a receiver sight and scope base, offering several sighting options while retaining its period-style profile.

This rifle remains in about Excellent overall condition, retaining approximately 98% of its original blue finish. The balance of the wear is limited primarily to light operational wear on the hammer and action, along with a few scattered light scratches. The screw heads are sharp, and the markings, including the “1894 Cowboy Limited,” “Model 1894CB – Cal. .45 Colt,” and JM proof, remain clear and legible. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, no erosion, and only some fouling present; in this writer’s opinion, it rates 9.5/10. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, and the rifle is equipped with a receiver-mounted cross-bolt safety, though it has not been test fired.

The checkered walnut stock set is in Very Good condition, showing light scratches and compression dents throughout but no chips or cracks. The capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered Marlin buttplate give the rifle the correct Cowboy Limited appearance and make it especially appealing to lever-action shooters and Marlin collectors. Overall, this is a clean and attractive Marlin 1894CB Cowboy Limited in .45 Colt, combining JM-marked manufacture, excellent metal condition, a strong bore, classic octagon-barrel styling, and practical upgraded sighting with the installed tang peep. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF