Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin Talk Marlin 1894c .357mag/38spcl

I found this model rifle that looks to be in great condition. Curious if anyone could tell me the approximate date it would have been manufactured?

It does not have any checkering on the stock.

It does not have the soft rubber butt pad.

It has a barrel band out towards the front end of the forearm that the front sling swivel comes off of.


Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Does it have x/bolt safety....look for the JM stamp on the

left side of bbl ahead of receiver...first two digets of S/N

subtract from 100...gives you DOM...gold triggers stopped

early '80 or so...X/bolt safety was added in '82 I

believe..here's my

1979 1894C after stocks were switched...357 Marlins are purty

scarce...

Welcome to the 'Fire!

If you are considering buying it, know that they are pretty scarce and in high demand, particularly the pre-safety ones.

Ed

Tell me about it! I know a guy who has one, but I couldn't talk him into selling it.

I have a vintage .32-20 on the way. From what I've been reading, I don't feel comfortable with the newer Marlins in the small calibers.

Paul

Thanks for the replies!

The rifle does have the JM stamped on the barrel.

It also has the push button safety on the side.

buy it you'll love it. check out this link:

1894c

What would you guys pay for this if it was in good condition?

That is a hard question to answer.The definition of good condition could mean some thing different between you and someone else.If you could post a better description and some pictures.Also the first two digits of the serial number would give us the year of manufacture.This could help with pricing the gun.

I have already committed to buying this firearm. Looking really forward to receiving it!

I'd still love to hear what everyone thinks the value of it is!

First two #'s in the serial # are 95. Like I stated before, it is JM stamped with the push button safety on the side. No checkering on the stock & no soft rubber butt pad. I would consider the blueing excellent & the stock near perfect (no nicks or scratches, but possibly some very small dings). I have no way of knowing the round count, but I'm thinking it is pretty low. Maybe 200 - 300.

Hopefully I'm not paying to much, but either way I know I'm going to LOVE this rifle! Nice little critter control lever action for around the farmstead that will also be great for introducing my son to the sport when he gets a little older!

95 would indicate production in 2005, pre-Remington, but with the newer features of rebounding hammer and crossbolt safety. I have a 336 made in 2007.

Paul

Have you bought it yet ??????

Paul39

If this rifle was made in 2005, shouldn't it have checkering on the stock? I thought they've been putting the checkering on the stocks for quite some time now.

At least I know it is a preRemington. I was thinking it was a little older, but that would also explain it's great condition.

tikkanut

It is going to take a little time before I have it in my hands. Can't wait!

I have been spending quite a bit of time over at the MarlinOwners website. What an excellent & informative site!

Anyways, after doing the research I'm very pleased with my purchase price. I think it will always be worth what I'm paying & then some. Although, I doubt it will ever go up for sale if they are as fun as I'm expecting!

The value of a used gun depends on how much an individual is willing to pay for it.
In my opinion $600 to $650 would be a fair price for a used Marlin 1894C in the condition you described.
Congratulations on buying a fine genuine Marlin rifle.I know you are going to truly love it.Please post pix when you get your new to you 1894C.

Sweet!

I just saw the question about date and checkering. I really don't know, as I'm not that familiar with the various models and details. I did research the serial numbers and production dates. There's a sticky on the Marlin Owners' forum with a list.

Paul

Maybe its a cowboy.A standard 2005 should have checkering.Is the stock walnut? There were 1894s made with plain stocks for stores but I don't know what years.

Sounds like one of the special run that Marlin did for Big 5 stores. I would bet that is has a birch stock. The regular production 1894C from 2005 should have a checkered walnut stock. I had one of these Big 5 guns about 2004 or 2005 and it was a really slick and accurate gun.

I'm assuming it has a birch stock ... it is lighter in color. This thing has been really fun to shoot, so far! It has been really accurate loaded with Hornady FP/XTP bullets pushed by H110 powder. She's a beauty & I'm really liking her!

If this rifle is a special run like previously mentioned, does it make it any more desirable or the value any higher?

I've got an 1894C I bought at a Big 5 in Sierra Vista in 05 (I think) for $350. Plain and boring stock, but fit and finish are great and she is a good shooter. Whether it's 125 or 158 XTP's, 180 rem sjhp's, all with H110, or various 38's. She'll feed wadcutter loads in 357 cases to boot.

I guess what really matters is the "JM" proof stamp on the barrel, not the stock they're wearing. I agree, though, the fit and finish of mine is 2nd to none!

The Big 5 guns were a special run, but I have not seen that they bring any more than the standard rifles of the same vintage. Most likely because of the birch stock. Nothing at all wrong with birch, but collectors usually prefer walnut.

My 1894C is one of the Big 5 guns that Marlin made around 05. It's amazing. Here she is with my Blackhawk in the same caliber.

Plinker

Yep, that's exactly what mine is. Pretty guns for sure!

You've got a special pair right there.

Where are them there pictures?
This is one of my two Marlin Cowboys 357mag with 24" barrel.I liked this gun so much that I just had to have another.

A Marlin 1894c and S&W 686 chambered in 38 spcl/357 magnum. They both love eating H110 with Hornady FP/XTP's.

I am on my third...keep getting sellers remorse! Plan on hanging on to this one. Should have kept the last as it was a rare 1894CP....factory ported! Rare...but regretfully sold....large pesos too...

I am always looking for these little rifles as well. Fortunately two of the pre safety 1894c's live in my safe right now and they are really fun to shoot. If you're happy with what you paid thats all that matters. I don't think you'll see prices fall thats for sure.

I just picked up this one at a local shop this week. Pre-safety, 1979, I think...

Nice! Looks just like mine, same year even.

Cant beat a 357!! Here is my early 80's with my 77 30-30 Texan conversion.

Very nice. First I've ever seen of the birch stock special run. Learn something new everyday. Enjoy that fine rifle.