Marlin 1894 .25-20
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 5:58 pm
This Marlin features a 24 1/2" octagonal barrel, chambered in .25-20. A great little cartridge which is basically a .32-20 necked down to "quarter bore". Dies, cases, shop bought bullets, moulds and even factory ammo are all available. I've owned this rifle for about 10 years.
This rifle carries a serial number which dates it at 1947. However, Marlin did not manufacture the 1894 after World War 1 even though it featured in price lists. It was not a catalog item and was only available in 24.5" round or octagonal barrels, in one of four chamberings. The rifles, known as "tail end 1894s" were assembled from parts left over from major manufacture at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Century. Marlin Firearms Corporation went bankrupt in 1924 and the rise of the Marlin Firearms Company did not continue the Tail End guns.
At the end out World War Two, in 1946 and 47, the assembly "Tail End" guns began again for these two years only, presumably just to use these parts up. This rifle wears a 1947 "D" prefix to the serial number from the 336/39 serial ranges. It wasn't actually until 1969 that Marlin began the manufacture of the 1894 again, in the guise we see today and in modern pistol calibers as opposed to original "hyphenated rifle" chambering.
This is in pretty good condition for a gun whose parts are possibly pre 1917. Shoots nicely and had the firing pin replaced with a new one about five years ago.
A far, far better rifle than those Remington made guns bearing the Marlin name today....
This rifle carries a serial number which dates it at 1947. However, Marlin did not manufacture the 1894 after World War 1 even though it featured in price lists. It was not a catalog item and was only available in 24.5" round or octagonal barrels, in one of four chamberings. The rifles, known as "tail end 1894s" were assembled from parts left over from major manufacture at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Century. Marlin Firearms Corporation went bankrupt in 1924 and the rise of the Marlin Firearms Company did not continue the Tail End guns.
At the end out World War Two, in 1946 and 47, the assembly "Tail End" guns began again for these two years only, presumably just to use these parts up. This rifle wears a 1947 "D" prefix to the serial number from the 336/39 serial ranges. It wasn't actually until 1969 that Marlin began the manufacture of the 1894 again, in the guise we see today and in modern pistol calibers as opposed to original "hyphenated rifle" chambering.
This is in pretty good condition for a gun whose parts are possibly pre 1917. Shoots nicely and had the firing pin replaced with a new one about five years ago.
A far, far better rifle than those Remington made guns bearing the Marlin name today....