Marlin 1894 Cowboy vs Cowboy Limited?

[awp101]

I know what the regular CB version is, but I've seen a couple offered as "Cowboy Limited" models. IIRC I've seen 20" and 24" barrels, one was actually marked "Cowboy Limited" on the barrel but others I've seen offered as "Limited"s haven't been.

I can't pull up the Marlin website or any of my usual sources since I'm at work. Stupid firewall...

[mulegunner]

I believe the limited models had a 24 inch bbl as opposed to the 20 inch standard.

[Leverdude]

Some were 38 special only too.

[J Miller]

My 1894 Cowboy is stamped:

1894 COWBOY LIMITED

• THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT U.S.A.
  ****MODEL 1894CB-CAL.45 COLT*****

It has the 20" barrel.

Joe

[awp101]

Some were 38 special only too.

I've only been looking at the .45 Colts but I thought the .38 Specials only were the Cowboy Competition (CBC)?

My 1894 Cowboy is stamped:

1894 COWBOY LIMITED

• THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT U.S.A.
  ****MODEL 1894CB-CAL.45 COLT*****

It has the 20" barrel.

Joe

Ah, so they COULD be had with the 20" or 24" barrel...

Thanks!

[Lefty Dude]

Most 94CB were 24" octagon barreled, mine was a .357. On the barrel was" Cowboy Limited".

They discontinued the 24" and introduced the 20 ".

The 94CBC, is the 20" cowboy octagon in 38 special only. Not many of this model were made and a limited production run. This piece was also factory tuned for CAS shooters. It may have been stamped "Cowboy Competition" or "Cowboy Limited Competition".

[J Miller]

I was told by the folks at Marlin that mine is a Cowboy Competition model. But as can be seen it's not marked as such.
If the time frame matters, this one was made in 2005.

Joe

[Old Savage]

Mine is marked 1894 COWBOY LIMITED and Model 1894 CB it is 20" from 2006.

I saw one of the 38 SPL models. It had a case hardened receiver and was marked over $800.

[salvo]

I have the same as Old Savage and also have wondered why they are marked "Limited" It seems to be standard on the 1894 CB's

[adirondakjack]

The "Cowboy" vs "CB-L" is not consistent.

At one time, they offered a 24" rifle with octagon BBL and the good wood (checkered forearm and wrist) as a "CB-L" I have two of em in .45 Colt. I suspect they are of early like 1998 vintage, but I'm guessing without looking at the serials.

Then the good wood went away, and the rifle was still 24" For a year or so, I suppse until they used up the 24" barrels.

Then the rifle was only offered in a 20", again with the plain wood.


Meanwhile there was an attempt to make a "race ready" .38 only version (they still needed an action job to race). It was Case Colored, and called the cowboy competition. Since it was expensive, and still needed an action job, it was a commercial flop and is no longer offered.

[71fan]

My 1894 Cowboy is stamped:
1894 COWBOY LIMITED

• THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT U.S.A.
  ****MODEL 1894CB-CAL.45 COLT*****

Mine is marked exactly the same (except 44 mag / sp)
It is a 1997 gun, with a 24" barrel and checkered wood.

The Cowboy Competition was offered in 45 LC in addition to 38 sp.

[Leverdude]

Some were 38 special only too.

I've only been looking at the .45 Colts but I thought the .38 Specials only were the Cowboy Competition (CBC)?

My 1894 Cowboy is stamped:

1894 COWBOY LIMITED

• THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT U.S.A.
  ****MODEL 1894CB-CAL.45 COLT*****

It has the 20" barrel.

Joe

Ah, so they COULD be had with the 20" or 24" barrel...

Thanks!

You are correct , Cowboy limited, cowboy competition hows a feller suposda keep them all straight.

[awp101]

Some were 38 special only too.

I've only been looking at the .45 Colts but I thought the .38 Specials only were the Cowboy Competition (CBC)?

My 1894 Cowboy is stamped:

1894 COWBOY LIMITED

• THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT U.S.A.
  ****MODEL 1894CB-CAL.45 COLT*****

It has the 20" barrel.

Joe

Ah, so they COULD be had with the 20" or 24" barrel...

Thanks!

You are correct , Cowboy limited, cowboy competition hows a feller suposda keep them all straight.

Buy all you can find and sort them out from there?

Thanks all!

[gary rice]

Mine is the limited 24 inch barrel in 45 colt, also checkered forearm and stock.

[meanc]

Here's my Cowboy Limited 45 Colt (marked on barrel) 24" and checkered wood. I believe these were the discontinued models from 1998 which later on went to non checkered wood, then to 20" barrels.

[awp101]

Mine is the limited 24 inch barrel in 45 colt, also checkered forearm and stock.

Like this?

1894CB-L.jpg

Is it marked "Limited"? How about your's meanc?

[Wind]

Well there seems to be some confusion here. I'm not all that sure I'll be much help but here goes. Note that all this is coming from a gimpy memory. The way I understand it is the "Cowboy competition" came with a 20" barrel in 38 Special - only. They were the last of the series. They may have added a 45 Colt, but I couldn't say one way or the other. Early on there was a "Cowboy II". I thought this was available in 45 Colt and 44 Magnum, but NOT .357 or 38 Special. These rifles had 24" octagonal barrels and the wood was checkered. Then came the "Cowboy Limited" in .357 and 38 Special. I believe these came with 20" or 24" barrels. I've tried to include a picture of my rifle barrel, we'll see if it shows up. I wanted my rifle to look alittle more "old timey" so I removed the checkering on mine (in picture). This is the part I'm not sure about. They may have dropped the Cowboy II and added 44 and 45 to the "Limited" series. I believe the latest versions are in 45 Colt and .357/38 with 20" octagonal barrels and non-checkered wood. I'm pretty sure Marlin never chambered any of these in 44-40 or 38-40. There's a slim chance this will help. Watch yer top knots. Wind

1894.jpg

[meanc]

AWP,

Mine is marked "1894 Cowboy Limited"

[adirondakjack]

I know that the tail end of the last decade they made the CB-L in .45 colt, 24", (barrel says Cowboy Limited) with the octagon BBL and good wood. Later they went to the plain wood, and eventually the long pipe was no longer available. I've had several folks ask if mine was for sale, as they like that style and can't get em any more.

[awp101]

Sorry, I just re-read your original post meanc and saw you already said it was marked...

I are slow tonight....

[sureshot]

The Marlin Cowboy model was offered in 44-40 for a year or two. They've been gettin' pretty spendy lately.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =120517933

Steve

[Mutt]

Mine is also 24" and marked limited . .45 Colt .......................Mutt

[TX Gun Runner]

The Marlin has a letter from Marlin

[awp101]

The Marlin has a letter from Marlin

Nice! 20" or 24" tube?

[brionic]

There was also a run of "cowboy" configured rifles in .41 magnum - the Cowboy Carbine Limited, or 1894 CCL, with smooth stocks, crescent buttplate, and 20" octagonal bbl.
--
Br.

[TX Gun Runner]

Nice! 20" or 24" tube?

AWP101 .....It's a 20 inch

[the telegraphist]

Gday All,
I have an 1894 Marlin Cowboy Limited barrel stamped. 24" octagonal barrel excellent wood to metal fit, traditional Marlin checkering on stock and forearm. Its in 44 Rem mag. Serial number indicates 1999 production year. Serial number stamped on the left of the receiver. Accurate to a fault with both lead and jacketed ammo. Ballard rifling.

Would like to see the 44 WCF back in production 20 inch barrel would be very sweet.

The Telegraphist

[Jayhawker]

Just to add to the confusion, Marlin also made a non-competition model 1894CB in 38 Spec that had a blued receiver (I have one). I also have a Cowboy Carbine Limited in 41 mag but it has a shotgun buttplate. I think the CCL series were a limited runs by Davidsons.

[brionic]

I also have a Cowboy Carbine Limited in 41 mag but it has a shotgun buttplate. I think the CCL series were a limited runs by Davidsons.

I'll have to check mine. Mine might be shotgun, too. I thought it was crescent but I could be mistaken.

[Kilmore]

I got Marlin Cowboy Limited with 20" octagonal barrel, straight comb stock no checkering, Marbles sights, 44/40. I have been told it was made in the 80's. I can't be sure. Serial number 1894D*** I cowboy action shoot with this bugger and love it! Kilmore.

[gundownunder]

The cowboy limited is the standard cowboy model ( limited to however many they can sell )
The cowboy competition model came out in 38 SP and 45 LC and has a color case hardened receiver. I don't know if they produced them in the original 24" model, I've only seen them in 20".

[Rusty]

Mine is an 1894 Cowboy Limited in .44 mag. Ser # 9901220XX whenever that was made. Mine just sit sits in the safe.

I'm glad I went and looked though, I was thinking it was a Cowboy II. Shows how much I pay attention.

[Van Morgan]

Mine is a 1997 24" Vintage back when they still made them with quality which was until around 1998. If you can get ahold of one of them they are a lot better than the 20' verisions with plain wood. Bought mine about 2 years ago unused for about $700. Smooth without action work.

[kimwcook]

I bought mine way back early 90's best I recall. It has the CCH receiver with a 24" tube. It's marked 1894 Cowboy Limited and 1894CB. It's in 45 Colt. It has decent wood and it's checkered. I love it. So does my wife.

[dennie]

I have a case colored 1894 CBC in .45 Colt. It is 20" with plain wood and shotgun butt. It is very accurate. I assume it is a later model. SN is 982144xx.