94 Marlin Puzzle

johnpar2

January 20, 2014 14:11

I have a 94 Marlin rifle 44 wcf. It's obviously a later production gun with the "94" model tang marking but the serial number is only 4 digits, 13XX. According to the searches I've done this is a pre 1883 serial number. The same number is stamped on the upper tang, inner left side and also in the upper tang channel in the buttstock. Marlin serial numbers are a bit confusing but this should be a six digit serial number from what I've read. I would appreciate any info anyone can give on this. Thanks!

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  savage170

  January 20, 2014 14:51

  Here is all the information I have on the model 94 maybe you'll find something that may help. This is all pre Remington
  Modern era Model 1894s
  
  1894: 1969?-72
  44 Magnum
  20" round Barrel with Brass Saddle Ring and Barrel Band
  
  1894 Octagon: 1973 (2,957) 44 Magnum
  20" Octagon Barrel
  
  1894: 1973-84 44 Magnum
  New Forearm Cap and Front Sight Hood
  
  1894 Sporter: 1973-? (1,39 44 Magnum
  22" Round Barrel, 1/2 Magazine
  
  1894C: 1979-84 357 Magnum 18.5" Barrel with Forearm Barrel band
  
  1894M: 1984 (12,08 22 Magnum
  20" Round Barrel, Loading tube, Cross Bolt Safety.
  
  1894S: 1984-2000 41 Magnum (1,040), 44 Magnum
  "S" added to designate Cross Bolt Safety.
  
  1894CS: 1984-2000
  357 Magnum
  Cross Bolt Safety added
  
  1894S: 1987
  44 Magnum
  New Soft Rubber Butt Plate introduced.
  
  1894CS: 1988
  357 Magnum
  New Soft Rubber Butt Plate introduced.
  
  1894S: 1988-91 (2,573)
  41 Magnum
  20" Round Barrel
  
  1894S: 1988-91 (984)
  45 Colt
  20" Round Barrel
  
  1894CL: 1989-94
  218 Bee (1990-94), 25-20, 32-20
  "Classic" Model, 1/2 magazine, black butt plate without white spacer
  
  1894CL Duck's Unlimited Special Edition: 1992 (1800)
  32-20
  "Not cataloged"
  
  1894CL NRA Special Edition: 1992 (100)
  32-20
  "Not cataloged"
  
  1894CL NRA Special Edition: 1993 (100)
  25-20
  *Not cataloged*
  
  1894CL NRA Special Edition: 1994 (350)
  218 Bee
  *Not cataloged*
  
  1894S NRA Commemerative: ? (550)
  44 Magnum
  *Not cataloged*
  
  1894S : 1993
  44-40Win (925)
  Ser #'s 444000xx
  *Not cataloged*
  
  1894S : 1993
  45 Colt (875)
  Ser #'s
  *Not cataloged*
  
  1894S: 1994
  44 Magnum
  Checkering added.
  
  1894CS: 1994
  357 Magnum
  Checkering added.
  
  1894 Century Limited: 1994 (2500)
  44-40 Win
  Ser #'s
  100th Anniversary edition of the Model 1894. Case Colored Engraved Receiver, 24 "Octagon barrel, curved brass butt plate.
  
  1894 Cowboy: 1995?-
  45 Colt
  24" tapered octagon barrel, Marbles sights.
  
  1894S Limited: 1996 (1500)
  44 Magnum
  16.25" barrel roll stamped Marlin Limited
  
  1894 Cowboy II: 1996-2000
  357 Magnum, 44-40 Win (discontinued 1999), 44 Magnum
  24 " tapered octagon barrel, Marbles sights.
  
  1894SC: 1996 (1550)
  44 Magnum
  16.25"bl, *Not cataloged*, Special Run for Davidsons, Lettered from Marlin
  
  1894SC: 1997 (1050)
  45 Colt
  16.25"bl, *Not cataloged*, Special Run for Davidsons, Lettered from Marlin
  
  1894CCL Cowboy Carbine Limited: 1999? (1000)
  41 Magnum
  Ser #s 1894CCLXXXX, *Not cataloged*, Special Run for Davidsons, Lettered from Marlin, uncheckered, 20" tapered octagon barrel, rollstamped "Cowboy Limited".
  
  1894P: 2000-2002
  44 Magnum
  16.25" ported barrel
  
  1894D Cowboy Carbine Limited: 2000 (325)
  44-40 Win
  Serial Nos 1894DXXX*Not cataloged*, Special Run for Davidsons, Lettered from Marlin, Rollstamped "Cowboy Limited", uncheckered , 20" tapered octagon barrel
  
  1894: 2001-2002
  44 Magnum
  1894S designation changed back to 1894, Cross Bolt Safety retained
  
  1894C: 2001-
  357 Magnum
  1894CS designation changed back to 1894C, Cross Bolt Safety retained
  
  1894CP: 2001- 2002
  357 Magnum
  16.25" ported barrel
  
  1894 Cowboy: 2001
  357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 45 Colt.
  Cowboy II designation dropped for 357 & 44.
  
  1894IV Cowboy Carbine Limited: 2001 (1000)
  45 Colt
  Serial Nos 1894IVXXXX *Not cataloged*, Special Run for Davidsons, Lettered from Marlin, Rollstamped "Cowboy Limited", uncheckered , 20" tapered octagon barrel
  
  1894SS: 2002
  44 Magnum Stainless steel version of 1894
  
  1894 Cowboy: 2002
  357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 45 Colt
  Checkering discontinued on Cowboy models
  
  1894CBC (Cowboy Competition Carbine): 2002-
  38 Special
  20" octagon barrel, case finish, tuned action
  
  1894H: 2002-
  357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 45 Colt
  *Not cataloged*, Special Run for Big Five stores. Walnut finished hardwood stock version of 1894 & 1894C. Sold as a special for $299.95.
  
  1894PG: 2003-
  44 Magnum
  Pistol grip stock. Straight grip standard 1894 in 44 Mag no longer listed
  
  1894FG: 2003-
  41 Magnum
  Pistol grip stock.
  
  1894CBC (Cowboy Competition Carbine): 2003-
  45 Colt
  20" octagon barrel, case finish, tuned action, blued bolt
  
  1894 Cowboy: 2003
  357 Magnum, 44 Magnum
  Barrel length reduced from 24" to 20". 45 Colt remains 24".
  
  1894CCL Cowboy Carbine Limited: 2004 (501)
  32-20 Win
  Serial Nos CCLXXXXXD *Not cataloged*, Special Run for Davidsons, Lettered from Marlin, Rollstamped "Cowboy Limited", uncheckered , 20" tapered octagon barrel
  
  
  twist rates in the modern era Model 1894s:
  218 Bee 1-16 twist
  25-20 Win 1-14 twist
  32-20 Win 1-20 twist
  38 Special 1-16 twist
  357 Magnum 1-16 twist
  41 Magnum 1-20 twist
  44-40 Win 1-38 twist
  44 Magnum 1-38 twist
  45 Long Colt 1-16 twist

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  johnpar2

  January 21, 2014 03:16

  Savage 170 thanks for the info. This rifle is probably from the early 1920s.

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  savage170

  January 21, 2014 14:46

  This may be more helpful for some reason I got stuck on 44 magnum and not44-40
  
  Short Actions:
  
  Model 1888: 8/1888 to 10/1889*.
  32W, 38W, 44W Top eject, blued receiver. 4815 made with 1298 in 32W
  * Note 4 Model 1888s were built after production ended. 1890- #22133 & #25820; 1892- #20528 & #24667
  4,312 manufactured with a 24"" barrel (octagon), part round/part octagon there was 23 manufactured and finally with a 24'' round barrel there was 266. The old Marlin Records only reflect what was written down in the ledgers. There are many blank serial number lines that we know guns were made, but not recorded. So actual numbers are not exact.
  
  Model 1889: 1889 to 1895. PAT'D OCT. 11,1887. APRIL2.1889
  32W, 38W, 44W (a few 25-20s near the end of production)
  1st side eject, one piece firing pin, blued receiver, forward part of the lever shaped different from the 1894 with safety catch on lower tang at rear of lever.
  
  Model 1894: 1894 to 1905. PAT'D OCT. 11,1887. APRIL2.1889. AUG. 1, 1893
  25W, 32W, 38W, 44W
  Went to 2-piece firing pin, different shape to the front of the lever and the lever lock on the tang was removed. Case Colored receiver. Serials start in 107,000 range
  
  Model 94: 1905 to 1933.
  25-20, 32-20, 38-40, 44-40 Some of the later Model 94s were made up from leftover musket receivers and have a notch where the sling swivel boss was ground off. These were serial numbered in front of the lower receiver, not under the lever. Also, they were all .38-40, or .44-40, as this was the bolt face used on the muskets. Most observed were equipped with round barrels.

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  gartman

  January 22, 2014 07:22

  Marlin serial numbers can be confusing because records do not exist for early guns made after about 1905. Until then all models were numbered in one series but at some time later, after re-organization, each model was numbered in its own series. I have Brophy's book "Marlin Firearms" and even in that huge book cannot find when this occured. My guess is after 1915 the 1894 became the 94 and a new series of numbers was begun, but this could have happened between 1905 and 1915.

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  johnpar2

  January 22, 2014 14:19

  Thanks gartman and savage170 for the information, much appreciated! I have been told that when Marlin dropped the "18" from 1894 they started a new serial number range for the "94" and that makes sense. Still trying to confirm that in the many reference books!

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