Marlin 1894 Cowboy Carbine LTD .32-20 20″ Lever Action Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,445.00
LSB#: LSB260430DB001
Make: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: 1894 Cowboy Carbine LTD
Serial Number: CCL0086D
Year of Manufacture: Modern production, circa late 1990s to early 2000s.
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester Center Fire
Action Type: Lever-action rifle fed by a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “1894 COWBOY CARBINE LTD. / THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / CAL. 32/20”. The right side of the barrel is marked “WARNING MISUSE CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH FOLLOW WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNER’S MANUAL”. The receiver is marked with the serial number “CCL0086D”.
Barrel Length: 20″ octagonal barrel.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is an elevator-adjustable semi-buckhorn sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for an optic mount.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a straight-grip buttstock, straight comb, carbine-style forend, and steel buttplate. The stocks show light handling marks and minor compression marks. There are no visible chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks rate in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued steel barrel, magazine tube, receiver, lever, and associated metal components.
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light operational and handling wear, including scattered fine scratches, faint scuffs, and minor finish thinning along some of the exposed edges. The receiver has light surface marks and a few scattered small spots of finish disturbance. The screw heads are lightly tooled with serviceable slots. The pins are unmarred. The markings are sharp and legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Marlin Model 1894 is a compact, side-ejecting lever-action design descended from Marlin’s late-19th-century pistol-caliber rifles. Its solid-top receiver, short receiver throw, and convenient handling qualities helped make the Model 1894 popular with hunters, recreational shooters, and Cowboy Action Shooting competitors. The Cowboy-series rifles were configured with traditional furniture, octagonal barrels, and period-inspired sights, combining classic styling with modern Marlin manufacture.
This example is the limited-production 1894 Cowboy Carbine LTD chambered in .32-20 Winchester, a historically significant cartridge introduced during the black-powder era and later widely used in both rifles and revolvers. The relatively scarce chambering, limited-edition markings, low-prefix serial number, 20″ octagonal barrel, and strong overall condition make this an appealing rifle for Marlin collectors and enthusiasts of traditional lever-action firearms. The bright bore and sharp rifling further enhance its desirability as either a collectible or shooter. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!-C.M.