Help on 94 Marlin

[Dastook]

Sorry I don't have any pictures. I know these questions will be difficult to answerer without seeing the rifle, but here goes. I came across a 1894 Marlin Take-down in 44/40 at a local gun shop. The shop owner says he is selling it for an old man who has had it for years. The shop owner said the gun is all original. It was made in 1904. The bore is beautiful. The barrel and mag tube bluing looks like it just came out of the box. The receiver is full patina. The bolt looks bran new and really looks strange against the patina receiver. The stocks are flawless. Too flawless I think, as they look to have a lacquer or varnish on them. It is my understanding that Marlin used only oiled stocks, even on their Deluxe rifles??? I really question that this rifle is original. The asking price is $2300. If it is original I might think it would be worth it as this rifle is in great condition. I just question it's originality. What do you all think?

[Noah Zark]

I've seen other vintage Marlin 94 bolts stay very blue, yet the receiver takes on patina. I've chalked it up to differences in the metal or heat treating between bolts and receivers.

My alarm bells are going off on account of how you describe the furniture. Most (99.99%) vintage Marlins that I've seen have "character flaws" in the furniture.

I'd pass at that price, and I'd think twice at $1300 but that's JMO.

Noah

[rjohns94]

I would think the bolt not matching the aging of the receiver is a give away that the rifle is not original. I always look at the internals compared to the outside but Noah's comments gives me pause to consider

[airedaleman]

I believe that Marlin used varnish back then as the standard finish on all their firearms. The place to get a definitive answer would be a post in the collector's forum at Marlinowners.com

[jdad]

The wood should be varnished. If the wood is still proud to the metal it probably has not been sanded or refinished. Someone may have stripped off the old varnish and put a new coat on at one time.

The bolt and loading gate were blued. The rest of the reciever was case colored. Marlin case did have a tendency to darken if it was not handled that much over time. If it was handled a lot it would wear and become "nickley". Is there any signs of wear under the receiver, from carrying? The muzzle should be in the "white". If it is blued like the rest of the rifle it was refinished. It may looked "browned", but should not match the barrel blue. Does it have the original Rocky Mountain rear sight and "harpoon" elevator? Are there any "peen" marks around the takedown cam? If there are none that's a good indication it hasn't been messed with much.

You may have just found a really nice well cared for Marlin 1894 Takedown, in a not so common caliber. The price seems just a little high if there are no other special order features.

[Dastook]

This is great info guys. Thanks, I'm going to make another trip to the shop and check out these other suggestions.