Looks like a "Sporter" cut down.
What does it say on the barrel?
Picture please.

 

I’m inclined to think this was modified, but I’m not an expert on all of the 1894 variants. A picture of the crown, the barrel markings and maybe some close ups of where the mag tube end would help us better determine what you have.
At any rate, it looks like a nice rifle, definitely something I’d be happy to have in my collection.
Nice find!

 

If it’s unmolested you have a rare gem, a 1973 sporter. But I believe those had 20” barrels, the SN would prove or debunk my statement in a hurry

 

Nice trim rifle....looks like serious fun.
My knowledge is not all encompassing
...but I have never heard of a factory 44mag
With that configuration. Looks like a good conversion

 

Serial number starts with 211015xx I think that means 1979. So it isn’t the one year only sporter. Sadly.

It sure is close though. 5 instead of 6 rounds and 18” barrel.

I guess its a good clone of one.
More pictures as requested.

 

I like it. It would be a handy rifle. You can see where the mag tube was shortened by the lack of blueing.

What keeps the mag tube from coming out?

 

What I found under the cap. The screw goes all the way through to the tennon

 

 

That's not a Sporter barrel. It would say "Sporter" on the barrel. I think it's just an 1894 cut down.

 

This is what I was thinking. If I had come across it and could have picked it up for a decent price I'd have been on it like a duck on a june bug!

 

Its been chopped to make a dandy and handy little woods walker!

 

My '73 44 Mag Sporter has a semi-crescent butt plate. That is definitely a cut down regular Mod 1894 but looks like the alterations were done well.

 

@Ret_Eng you are a lucky man. Neat rare rifle you have.

The History of the Marlin 1894 Sporter - 1895Gunner

The History of the Marlin 1894 Sporter - 1895Gunner

1895gunner.com

 

It's a nice configuration, but not original. Not sure why "Sporter" keeps coming up in this thread. I have one, and what you have isn't remotely close. The Sporter has a heavy contour 22" barrel with half magazine tube and was made in 1973.

What you have is a very well done attempt of a button magazine. However, by the pictures, it's about an inch and a half too long. This is what Winchester and Browning did with a button magazine. It barely protrudes the magazine cap.

 

It's a nice configuration, but not original. Not sure why "Sporter" keeps coming up in this thread. I have one, and what you have isn't remotely close. The Sporter has a heavy contour 22" barrel with half magazine tube and was made in 1973.

The term "Sporter" came up because IT DOES RESEMBLE A SPORTER that is cut down. Short mag tube. No barrel band. You cannot tell from the photos if it is a heavy sporter barrel which is why I asked for a photo of the barrel to be sure.

 

That's pretty neat, thanks for sharing. Congratulations too.

 

I added a sling stud to the end cap.

 

Finally got this rifle to the range yesterday. Functionally it was flawless, but good Lord, the recoil is absolutely brutal.

Way worse than my 30/30 or even my .308’s

I guess because it is so light? If I shot this rifle before I shot a .44 mag revolver, I’d be afraid of the revolver.

Still I really like it, but it is definitely not a plinker.

 

What do you mean by crescent buttplate?

 

They were common on rifles from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.