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“Value” Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited Carbine in .357 Magnum/38 Special.

14K views 29 replies 22 participants last post by  bigchillin83  
#1 · (Edited)
Need some help from the fellas around the campfire, this one might have fallen into my lap, says this brand new JM Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited Carbine in .357 Magnum/38 Special. He’s looking for 1500. I would assume that’s a pretty good price, but would like y’all’s knowledge please
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#4 ·
$1500 seems like a high price when the Ruger Marlin .357s will be $1239 when they ever come out. Later, when demand catches up with supply the price may be lower. I got tired of waiting and bought a new Henry .357 for about $750 last year. It is flawless, very nice looking, and a lot of fun to shoot. I know, I am a Marlin lover and have almost a dozen mostly JMs, but sometimes a substitute lever gun works.
 
#6 ·
I have a pre-safety 1894C in 357 Mag and been offered $2K for it. Its not going anywhere as a pre-safety model will never be made again.
 
#9 ·
JM Cowboy Octogon barrel in .38/.357? It will be years before Ruger makes that model if they ever do and by then retail will be north of $2k. You can wait out Ruger releasing the standard carbine Model 94 in .357 and maybe save $100-$200 and they should be out sometime next year but If you can afford it I would grab this one.
 
#17 ·
If it were an MR one, I'd agree. For a NIB JM stamped one ... price seems reasonable. There's one on GB, but it's so far our (11+ days) that you can't use it for reference. Side note: didn't they used to have a "completed listings" option (or something like that) where you could look at past prices?
 
#15 ·
I'd say if it's one of these, it is more than worth it...

1894 Cowboy Carbine Limited (CCL)

1894CCL LTD .41 mag, Blued 20" Octagon barrel, Roll stamped "Cowboy limited" Non-Checkered walnut stocks. Made in 1999. Serial #'s read 94ccl0000-94CCL1000. 1001 produced. Special run by Marlin for Davidsons.

1894D LTD.44-40, Blued 20" Octagon barrel, Roll stamped "Cowboy Limited" Non-Checkered walnut stocks. Made in 2000. Serial #'s read 1894D000-1894D325. 326 produced. Special run by Marlin for Davidsons.

1894IV LTD .45LC, Blued 20" Octagon barrel, Roll stamped "Cowboy Limited" Non-Checkered walnut stocks. Made in 2001. Serial #'s read 1894IV0000-1894IV1000. 1001 produced. Special run by Marlin for Davidsons.

1894 LTD .32-20, Blued 20" Octagon barrel, Roll stamped "Cowboy Limited" Non-Checkered walnut stocks. Made in 2003. Serial #'s read CCL000D-CCL500D. 501 produced. Special run by Marlin for Davidsons.
 
#27 ·
I have an 1894 Cowboy Carbine LTD (exact roll stamp) chambered in .45 Colt, serial # 94IV01xx. If that .357 Magnum version is like-new-in-box I’d pay $1,500 for it in a heartbeat.

Ruger is making fine lever action rifles. I got a Guide Gun and a 336 Classic. However, I actually passed on a new 1894 in .44 Magnum a little while ago. Just didn’t like the barrel band at the front of the forend as opposed to an end cap. Also, I have an early 1970s 1894 in .44 Magnum - shooter grade but I like it. Ruger won’t be making an octagon barrel limited run of 1,000 any time soon … if ever.
 
#18 ·
I’d say that’s fair, especially if it comes with the box. JM CB models are at a premium and it’s unlikely that Ruger will ever return to that configuration. If you look at completed auctions on GB you’ll see that similar rifles have sold for between $1200 and $1900 over the past few months. The rifles on the lower end were definitely not in “as new” condition.
 
#26 ·
I only have 22 recorded prices for the JM 1894 Cowboy out of 400 total including the JM Marlin 1894C Rifle in .357 Mag. Adjusting for inflation they average within $33 of each other with the non-cowboy being the highest. My overall summary below seems to support the over $1,000 range with $1,500 a bit high but not out of the question if it's what you want. A few boxes of ammo and you won't notice. Some seller's wiggle room, I imagine.

Blue Book of Gun Values (44th Edition) indicates between $525 in 95% condition and $850 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 400 recorded prices for this model gun from $325 to $3525 over a period of 18 Yrs 2 Mos ending May 26, 2023. The average price as of that date was $851. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. No distinction for import location or engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $730. The last 15 prices I have for this model since 1/1/2022 range from $865 to $1700 averaging $1333.
 
#28 · (Edited)
I’d pay $1500 with the box without hesitation, but would offer less if the box isn’t available.

When was this rifle built? The earlier the YOM the better.

I was buying Marlins back when ‘high prices‘ were well south of $1,000, and I overpaid for a few that I felt a bit sheepish about at the time. Given today’s prices, I was a bloody genius to pay what I did for every Marlin.

In my book, pristine JM Marlins like the 1894 Cowboy are rare jewels. No more will ever be built. If I had to pay a few hundred extra to take possession of one, I’d do it. Down the road, the market value will easily surpass the premium paid today.

Oh, the joy of sitting by the.fireplace on a cold winter’s night with a fine Marlin lever gun across my lap. I do enjoy owning my Marlins.