Make: Marlin Firearms Co.

Model: 1894 Takedown

Serial Number: 173565

Year of Manufacture: Shipped February 16, 1899

Caliber: .25-20 Marlin (NOT .25-20 Winchester)

Action Type: Takedown Lever Action Rifle with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24”, Half-Octagon, Half-Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a folding Beach-style sight presenting either a beaded blade or a hooded, beaded post. The bead in the blade is broken. The Lyman's rear sight has two folding leaves, one with a wide "V"-notch and the other flat-top with a white triangle aiming reference. The top tang is drilled and tapped with an adjustable tang sight installed. The tang sight's aperture can fold down for use of the barrel-mounted rear sight, this does not work with the installed removable aperture.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped forend, pistol grip with "S"-profile bottom, straight comb, and a checkered black hard rubber Marlin buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with generally well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and small scratches. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. The case color shows some muting, mostly on the lever and barrel extension. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly, though the takedown lever is quite tight. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office records search indicating that it was produced as a rifle, caliber .25, 24" half-octagon barrel, pistol grip stock, takedown, and shipped February 16, 1899.

Our Assessment: The Marlin lever actions are often forgotten, but they shouldn’t be. Marlin was there, building great quality and reliable rifles alongside Winchester and in the glory days of American Manufacturing. Both on the frontier, and even today, many prefer the Marlin to a Winchester. With a side-eject action, the design was found to be quite superior after telescopic sights became popular and some users find disassembly and maintenance to be quite a bit simpler, as well.

This example is a desirable takedown Model 1894 made just before the turn of the 20th century, a must have in any Marlin lever action collection. In addition to being a takedown, it has a half-octagon barrel and is equipped with an interesting set of vintage sights. This rifle retains an impressive amount of its original blue and case color finish with strong mechanics and a tight fit between the receiver and barrel assemblies. This gun is an important piece in firearms history, in American history and will be an wonderful piece in your collection. Please see our photos and good luck!