Marlin Firearms Co. 1894 FG 1894FG .41 Magnum 20″ Lever Rifle JM 2003
SOLD FOR: $3,325.00
LSB#: LSB260225RB029
Make: Marlin
Model: 1894FG
Serial Number: 97017799
Year of Manufacture: 2003 (97 Serial Number Prefix), Available 2003 to 2006
Caliber: .41 Magnum (.41 Remington Magnum)
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO., NORTH HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / ****** MODEL 1894FG – CAL. 41 MAG.******” and at the rear with a “JM” proof. The upper tang is marked with the serial number. The right side of the barrel is marked with a 2-Line Warning.
Barrel Length: 20” Micro-Groove
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Wide-Scan hooded beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated ramp, screwed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch semi-buckhorn folding elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top of the receiver has two pairs of drilled, tapped, and filled holes.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered black walnut with a capped semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, Marlin rubber buttpad, capped forend, Marlin “bullseye” in the belly, and two sling studs front and rear. There are no chips or cracks. There are a few minor handling marks. The checkering is sharp. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks rate in about Excellent 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. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action shows light operational and handling wear. There are minor scratches on top of the receiver and minor finish loss on some of the leading edges. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The hammer has a half cock safety position. 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: This rifle includes a non-matching Marlin Box.
Our Assessment: The Marlin Model 1894FG is a desirable modern production lever action built during the North Haven, Connecticut era and marked with the sought after “JM” barrel proof. Marlin’s Model 1894 lineage dates back to the late nineteenth century, when the company developed compact lever rifles chambered for popular revolver cartridges, giving shooters a handy carbine that paired well with sidearms of the same caliber. The 1894FG was a comparatively limited offering, available from 2003 to 2006, and exclusively chambered in .41 Remington Magnum, a cartridge introduced in 1964 as a middle ground between the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum. While the .41 Magnum never reached the commercial popularity of those better known magnums, it developed a loyal following among handgun hunters and outdoorsmen for its flat shooting performance, manageable recoil, and excellent field capability. In a 20 inch lever rifle with Micro-Groove rifling, the cartridge gains useful velocity and makes for a practical, distinctive, and relatively uncommon Marlin configuration.
This 2003 example retains about 98 percent of its original blue finish, showing only light operational and handling wear, minor scratches on the top of the receiver, and slight finish loss on a few leading edges. The markings remain clear, and the screw heads are sharp. The checkered black walnut stocks are in Excellent condition, with sharp checkering, only minor handling marks, and no chips or cracks, retaining classic Marlin details such as the capped forend, capped semi-pistol grip, rubber buttpad, sling studs, and bullseye in the belly of the buttstock. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, rating 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly and smoothly, and the hammer retains its half cock safety position. Overall, this is a clean, JM marked Marlin 1894FG in the less common .41 Magnum chambering, well suited for the Marlin collector, lever action enthusiast, or shooter looking for a capable field rifle with a bit of rarity. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! – L.S.