Nickel 1894 44 mag

[Sniper]

Run into a Nickel plated 1894 44 mag at the gun show today. It didn't look right to me, the roll marks was so unreadable. No way this could have come from the factory this way. The seller wanted $1000 for it saying it was factory nickel plate and only few hundred was done this way. BS or true?

[Calibre38-40]

If you can't read the markings, it's a re-plate....Any original factory plated guns have markings clear and complete...

[44-40 Willy]

And to my knowledge (and I've studied 1894s for years), Marlin never built a nickel plated modern era 1894.

Stuff like this is why I started the Marlin 101 file.

[lever addict]

About 5 years ago I ran across a nickle 1894 44 mag in Gander Mtn. It was just before my Marlin addiction started, but it sure did catch my eye. It was used and the bore was black. Previous owner must have used BP. It's the only one I ever saw. It was a barrel band model 1894.

[BloodGroove4570]

I've never seen one, nor heard of any ever made. What i do know is that 44-40 Willy knows his stuff, Especially 1894 related!!!!!

I do know this, if Marlin made it from the factory, you Would be able to read the stamping or it wouldnt have left the building, afterall were talking Marlin here not Remlin...

BloodGroove4570

[Golfbuddy45]

Amazing what some of these dealers at gun shows will say and expect us to believe it is gospel truth. . . . Haven't met too many people in the business who are truly honest - - unfortunately.

GB45

[RGR]

A guy should never say "never" on any brand guns possible factory variations, but the wiped out lettering is the key on this one I would opine. "pulled lettering" is typically the give away on any refinished gun, though if done with paper and by hand, its not wiped out in most cases, but all traces of raised edge from the stamps are gone. Of course early guns did not have the raised lettering on stamps that typically came along on later guns.

It actually takes some time to learn to tell when a gun has been refinished, if its been done properly, and perhaps decades back, But all the evidence at hand in this example, tells a person not to buy this gun.

[lever addict]

Sorry I guess I had one of those brain farts again! The 44 mag I handled was stainless i'm sure!

[RGR]

There are so many dang finishes now, its difficult to tell. Show me someone that can tell visually between satin stainless, and some of the electroless nickel variations, at least at a cursory look at a dimly lit gun show, I will buy that guy a steak dinner.

An educated guess is often the best thats possible.

But the part about not totally believing the guy behind the table, he might simply be ignorant too, but more likely is doing his best imitation of a used car salesman.

Got a good buddy with a 60s era Colt Match Target Woodsman. He was told it was silver plated, and they did make a small handful silver plated. Most think it simply nickel, and since it never seems to dull or tarnish, is my best guess. But he wont pay the 100 bucks or what ever for a factory letter, cause I think he is spooked about the outcome, having put big coin into the gun when he bought it, thinking it was silver.

Old fashioned greed has gotten more than myself in trouble, when buying a gun. Anyone claims it hasnt, has not done much gun trading.

[Sniper]

To me the give away was the JM stamp, as we all know its stamped after the rifle is assemble. This one was plated after and the JM was almost gone after the plating.