Marlin 1894 octagon

[444 Magnum]

I dug out this Marlin 1894 octagonal barrel in .44 magnum today. Only made in 1973 with total production at 2,957. The barrel is 20".
I threw in some accessories for the fun of it and a little 'Ted' for the hard rockers on the forum.
The stag knife is Solingen, the switch blades are Schrade Cut Co., and the Marlin anniversary knife is Camillus.

 

[S-W4EVER]

Nice rifle! I’ve got 1894 Cowboys in .357 (24” Octagon bbl) & .45 Colt (20” Octagon bbl) and an 1897 Cowboy (.22LR). The only .44 Magnum Marlin I have is the 1894 I bought new in 1977 (20” round bbl). I have found Marlin lever actions to be addicting.

 

[Papa Lee]

I had one of those way back when. Wish I still had it...

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Very nice! I have an 1894 in .44 mag from 1971, a saddle ring carbine - but your octagon barrel is way cool! I have a 1970 Marlin 39 Century Ltd. with an octagon barrel, my first and favorite .22. Dad gave it to me for Christmas 1970. No telling how many thousands of rounds of .22 long rifle have been down that barrel; still shoots as good as ever.

 

[weatherby]

Well you had me for a minute.
I was thinking old

 

[A10]

the schrades are very cool....hard to find them these days

 

[444 Magnum]

Well you had me for a minute.
I was thinking old

I have a couple of those too...

 

[444 Magnum]

the schrades are very cool....hard to find them these days

I ran across these at an auction recently. They're all Schrade's.

And a few other brands- all US made. The colors intrigued me.

I'm still learning about them. May post more about them later.

 

[Narragansett]

Nice rifle OP!! I believe I had the same exact solingen knife. I bought it in the 60’s. #2 son has it now for his collection

 

[jeffrefrig]

I'm curious: is the hammer their version of the SAT?
Very nice pictures of everything above this post! All the darned money I blew in the bars years ago makes me sick just thinking about it!

 

[444 Magnum]

I'm curious: is the hammer their version of the SAT?

I take all my pictures with that hammer. It's the perfect diameter to fit through the trigger guard. I've had it for years and my dad had it before that. Family heirloom and all that...

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

OP.......I have your same exact rifle.....But.........I bought mine NIB about 20 years ago..........Marlin made lots of those over the years.

 

[CH4]

Cool rifle. I have a first year 1884 Cowboy Limited in 45 Colt with 24” barrel. What’s the difference between the Octagon Model and Cowboy Limited model, besides the checkering and barrel length?

 

[444 Magnum]

OP.......I have your same exact rifle.....But.........I bought mine NIB about 20 years ago..........Marlin made lots of those over the years.

This particular configuration was only made in 1973 with 2,957 total production. The information is on page 219 of Brophy's book. If you bought your's 20 years ago, it has the cross bolt safety.

Cool rifle. I have a first year 1894 Cowboy Limited in 45 Colt with 24” barrel. What’s the difference between the Octagon Model and Cowboy Limited model, besides the checkering and barrel length?

Probably not much other than what you mentioned and the absence of the cross bolt safety. I look at the CBS like I do the Hillary Hole--it's unnecessary and I've never bought a rifle with one.

This is simply one of the harder to find variations of the 1894 for those collectors wanted to check a box--much like many of us do with S&W's--one of each model, one of each barrel length, one of each caliber, etc. This one is relatively hard to find.

The original JM Marlins are going up in value every year. More so than the Remlins and Ruglins. The JM Marlins were known for their quality fit, finish, and performance. One man did the entire assembly of a rifle. Then Remington took over, moved the plant, automated everything, lost the older, more experienced (skilled) workers and it went down hill from there. Ruger seems to producing a quality rifle but it is not and never will be a JM Marlin.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Yeah, I looked at a couple of Ruger/Marlins at a gunshow this weekend - one in .44 one in .357. They're ok but I'm not $1000 ok with them. For one thing, I think the checkering is cheesy looking. I think most leverguns look better with uncheckered stocks, though I do have a Model 71 Winchester Deluxe Rifle with checkered wood. I also had an early 50s vintage Marlin 336 rifle once upon a time - 24" barrel, half magazine, checkered stock, and in .35 Remington. Should have hung onto that one.

 

[JohnRippert]

That is sweet. I would love to have one just like it in .357 Magnum to go along with my .357 Colt SAA.

 

[444 Magnum]

I think most leverguns look better with uncheckered stocks, though I do have a Model 71 Winchester Deluxe Rifle with checkered wood. I also had an early 50s vintage Marlin 336 rifle once upon a time - 24" barrel, half magazine, checkered stock, and in .35 Remington. Should have hung onto that one.

I have a few 71's...

IMO, the best lever action ever made. The older guns look better with checking because the stocks were generally a better quality of wood and the checking was done by hand--not stamped.

I still have a Marlin ADL and a Marlin waffle top on my wish list.