Marlin Model 94, 1894 .25-20 WCF 24″ Octagon Lever Action Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,001.00

LSB#: LSB260602CL016

Make: Marlin

Model:  94, 1894

Serial Number: 346291

Year of Manufacture: 1905-1925

Caliber: 25-20 WCF

Action Type: Lever action, centerfire rifle, fed from tubular magazine. 

Barrel Length: 24″ Octagon

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf V notch with elevator dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a Hepburn sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth steel buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is worn finish throughout. There is oil darkening at the wrist. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition. 

Type of Finish:  Blued, Color Case

Finish Originality: Original 

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is defined. There is some erosion throughout, most notably near the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 7.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its original finish. The majority of the metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. There is thinned bluing on the leading edges. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good 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 94 is a classic small-frame lever-action sporting rifle built around the company’s solid-top, side-ejecting receiver design. This example is chambered in .25-20 W.C.F. and features a 24″ octagon barrel, full-length tubular magazine, straight-grip walnut furniture, and traditional barrel-mounted sights. Its small-bore chambering and long octagon-barrel configuration give it the classic proportions of an early 20th-century Marlin sporting rifle.

The Model 1894 evolved from Marlin’s earlier Model 1889 and became one of the company’s most successful pistol-caliber lever actions. Chamberings such as .25-20 W.C.F. made these rifles especially useful for small game, varmints, and general recreational shooting, while Marlin’s side-ejecting action distinguished the design from competing lever rifles of the period. Long-barreled octagon rifles such as this one remain especially attractive to collectors for their traditional appearance and strong connection to Marlin’s prewar sporting-rifle production.

This rifle retains about 25% of its original finish, with most of the metal worn to brown patina and showing corrosion staining and thinning blue along the leading edges. The walnut stocks remain in Good to Very Good condition with scratches, compression dents, widespread finish wear, and oil darkening at the wrist but no chips or cracks. The mostly bright bore has defined rifling with erosion throughout, most notably near the muzzle, and rates 7.5/10. The action functions correctly. Overall, this is a Good-condition Marlin Model 94 with a desirable .25-20 W.C.F. chambering, classic octagon-barrel configuration, and solid vintage sporting appeal. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF