Make: Marlin

Model: 1894

Serial Number: 109284

Year of Manufacture: 1894

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester Center Fire

Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MARLIN FIRE.ARMS CO. NEW.HAVEN. CT. U.S.A. / PATENTED OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL.2.1889.”. The top of the barrel at the chamber is marked “44 W.”. The top of the receiver is marked “MARLIN SAFETY”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “109284”.

Barrel Length: 24” Octagon

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a silver blade slotted in a base that is dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator leaf dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (not included).

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are Turnbull refinished two piece walnut featuring a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel case hardened buttplate. The stocks have been “B’ pattern checkered and Marlin oil refinished. The stocks have no notable wear or damage outside of two small and faint compression lines on the found buttstock. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Case Hardened, Blued

Finish Originality: This rifle was restored by Turnbull Mfg. Co.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some pitting in the grooves toward the muzzle end of the barrel but most of the bore is free of pitting. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10 for Antique. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no operation wear post Turnbull restoration. The finish is vibrant and complete throughout. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition as restored.

Mechanics: This rifle should function correctly. We have not fired this rifle nor have we tested the action as this rifle appears unracked and we would like to keep it that way.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This rifle comes with an 06/14/2021 dated invoice from Turnbull Mfg. Co. detailing the restoration services applied to this rifle.

Our Assessment: The Marlin 1894 model was preceded by their Models 1881, 1888 and 1889, finally resulting in a short action side ejecting rifle that was chambered in the same cartridges as Winchester’s Model 1892. The lever throw is shorter than any other stock pistol caliber lever action rifle and as smooth as they come. This rifle went to Turnbull Mfg. in 2021 for a restoration and the result is a beauty to behold. The barrel and magazine tube are rust blued and the receiver, lever and hammer show the gorgeous figuring in their case color finish which has brought Turnbull so much well deserved fame.