There were several "limited production" variations of the octagon barreled "1895" 45-70 Cowboy with 26" barrel. Did any of them come with factory checkering?

Not that I am aware of. I am not sure if you are asking if Marlin offered them with checkering, or you know for a fact that that they produced them in a limited run..either way, I love mine and wouldn't sell or trade it for anything. I dont shoot cowboy action, but primarily use it for whitetails and bear. Nothing like walking the mountains of WV with (as my son calls it) my 'Thumper'..surprised Marlin doesn't tout and advertise it more as an effective hunting rifle than they do. My friends are all amazed at the weight and 'pointability' of her as well as the 9 round capacity...don't really see why anyone would take a 'guide-gun' over one of these considering the longer sight radius it offers which in turns means more accuracy...sorry for my ramblings!! Have a good day. By the way, do you relaod your .45-70 and if so, what 'recipes' does your prefer. I would be glad to share some of mine that seem to shoot well out of mine as well...

Semper Fi

I think the limited runs you are thinking of were done for the distributor Davidsons. They were all checkered as I recall although the longest they offered had 24" barrels . The last offering from about 2 years ago, the LTD V, had a half octogon/half round barrel, pistol grip, 24" barrel. The Limited IV had a 24" full octogon barrel with a straight grip. Either the Limited I or III had a short barrel. They have produced 5 variations so far with differing barrel lengths, round and/or octogon barrels, etc, all in 45-70. This doesn't include the other limited runs they have done. They also put out a short guide gun type in 35 Remington a couple of years ago.

Jay, thanks. Was hoping there might have been a checkered 26". Shrink from the cost of checkering a standard Cowboy 45-70. Would really like a 26" half octagon half or 2/3 magazine 45-70 with straight grip and shotgun butt, checkered of course, doubt Davidsons will ever offer such a specification.