Marlin 1894S “The Marlin Limited” .45 Colt 16″ Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1997
SOLD FOR: $1,450.99
LSB#: LSB260119KW005
Make: The Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: 1894S “The Marlin Limited”
Serial Number: 03053995
Year of Manufacture: 1997
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Lever Action, fed by Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “THE MARLIN LIMITED THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT U.S.A. / *****MODEL 1894S-CAL. 45 COLT*****”, along with a circled “JM” stamp just forward of the receiver. The right side of the barrel is marked with Marlin’s 2-line warning. The top tang is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 16″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade, dovetailed to a serrated ramp, screwed to the barrel. The front sight ramp is notched for a sight hood, but the hood is missing. The rear sight is a flip-up semi-buckhorn U-notch sight on a riser, dovetailed to the barrel. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for optics.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut stock set, with a straight grip, straight comb, red rubber Marlin buttpad, a checkered forend, and a sling studs on the forend. The sling stud that should be in the belly of the buttstock is missing. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The Marlin “Bullseye” is present in the belly of the buttstock. The stocks show light wear, with a few light scratches and dings throughout. The checkering is well defined. The stocks fit tightly to the frame with no play. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some minor fouling present. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light handling wear, with only a few light handling marks throughout. The bluing is deep and dark. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads range from lightly tooled to sharp, but all retain strong and serviceable slots. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the cross-bolt and half-cock safeties. We did not fire 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 requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with its owner’s manual/paperwork.
Our Assessment: The Marlin 1894S “The Marlin Limited” is a late North Haven production carbine that captures the sleek, compact handling qualities that made the 1894 platform a favorite among lever gun enthusiasts. Built in 1997 and bearing the desirable “JM” stamp, this 16 inch carbine combines classic Marlin lines with the proven reliability of the 1894 action. Chambered in .45 Colt, a cartridge introduced in 1873 for the Colt Single Action Army, it offers a deep historical lineage and practical versatility. In a short lever carbine, the .45 Colt delivers mild recoil with substantial authority, making it equally at home on the range or in the field.
This example retains approximately 99 percent of its original blued finish with only light handling marks. The walnut stocks remain tight to the frame, with well-defined checkering and the Marlin bullseye intact, rating Very Good overall. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and rates 9.75 out of 10. The action cycles correctly with both cross-bolt and half-cock safeties functioning as intended. With its compact 16 inch barrel, desirable chambering, and strong overall condition, this is a clean and attractive Marlin Limited 1894S that embodies the enduring appeal of a classic pistol-caliber lever gun. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! – J.D.