[papabear]

I have run across an 1894C (did not check date but has CBS) in a pawn shop for $210. The rifle has a lot of light rust. I suspect the owner left it in a closed plastic gun case. Any way, aside from the rust, the lever doesn't want to stay closed. Tell me again what likely causes that. I'm having second thoughts that it may be salvageable. Although I passed yesterday, a phone call will lock it in. Thanks, Jack

 

[Halwg]

I'd buy it. Even if you spend $100 to have it reblued, and buy a new plunger and spring for the lever, you have less than $350 in a gun folks are asking $450 - $550 for. And the bluing may clean up better than you think.

 

[City Slicker]

If it's just light surface rust, I'd bet a tight weave nylon scrubby pad and some WD40 will shine it right up. If nothing else for $210 you could always use it to trade up to something nicer.

 

[papabear]

I have seen worse, but this one is likely to be lightly pitted-still I could put in on the Mule and kind of forget about it. Thanks, I 'll go look at again after lunch. I did not check the bore. Jack

 

[Tomray]

Jack,

I agree with Halwg. i'd buy it at that price. probablt a few judicious file strokes on the lever plunger will fix the problem, and 0000 steel wool and oil with lift the light rust and not hurt the bluing.

Go get it!

Tom

 

[yukondog]

For $210.00 get it. You'd be suprised how good 0000 stelwool and oil will work and even if you have to replace the plunger and spring its pretty easy to do.

 

[Maudite]

Get it.

As for the bluing- I have restored several rifles and shotguns in that condition or worse. Steel wool, 98% methanol for clean up- and Brownell's OXPHO Blue for refinishing the metal. It works great on guns like this. Check out the Marlin model 88 here- it was missing a lot of blue and had some fine rust on the barrel-

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,77797.0.html

It came out pretty good- and that's about 30 coats of the Oxpho on the metal. Murphy's Oil Soap did the stock up nicely too.

If the rust isn't too bad- and not too deep into the metal, I think you can do-it-yourself and be very satisfied with the outcome.

Get it!

M

 

[papabear]

I want to thank everyone for your suggestions. In days gone by, I have rescued a lot of orphans and have made a few silk purses out of sows ears. I went back today, to give the little Marlin a second look. The pitting is deep on the receiver and some places on the barrel, the cross bolt is rust frozen, the rear sight is rusted in place. My original thought was that it was stored in a plastic gun case. Maybe it was, but the bore also has some ugly spots in it. In addition, the wood is not walnut. I have heard of economy models of the 1894, I just never noticed one or have never ran across one before, Sooner or later, this shop will have a much better example for not a lot more money. This one just has too much grief for me. It is going to take a lot of file work then polishing to get ready to blue and it may need a barrel. Thanks, Jack

 

[Halwg]

I want to thank everyone for your suggestions. In days gone by, I have rescued a lot of orphans and have made a few silk purses out of sows ears. I went back today, to give the little Marlin a second look. The pitting is deep on the receiver and some places on the barrel, the cross bolt is rust frozen, the rear sight is rusted in place. My original thought was that it was stored in a plastic gun case. Maybe it was, but the bore also has some ugly spots in it. In addition, the wood is not walnut. I have heard of economy models of the 1894, I just never noticed one or have never ran across one before, Sooner or later, this shop will have a much better example for not a lot more money. This one just has too much grief for me. It is going to take a lot of file work then polishing to get ready to blue and it may need a barrel. Thanks, Jack

Yep, your update makes it sound like the gun needs trashed. I never heard of an 1894 with a birch stock, though.

 

[Eli Chaps]

Yep, your update makes it sound like the gun needs trashed. I never heard of an 1894 with a birch stock, though.

Hal, I think they made/make some with birch stocks for big retail stores like Big 5 and such. Come to think of it, I don't know that I've ever seen anyone post that they had a different designator to denote it wore birch, like the 336W vs. 336C type thing.

 

[papabear]

Halwg, Eli, re: the stock--My first time to run across the hardwood 1894. It is not walnut. Someone may have even done a stock swap. I think I have read that OTC, Big 5, and Dicks contracted for some. I read the barrel markings and did not see anything different. Also no bulls eye. We have a Dick's in Arlington and it is not far to Oklahoma. The nearest Big 5 that I am aware of is in Amarillo. Daughter 3 and her family live in the panhandle and I think I have seen them advertised in their fliers. Anyway the poor orphan has been rode hard and put up wet. IMO, it was time to punt. Good day to all, Jack

 

[44magman]

I have an 1894 with a birch stock. I got it at Big 5 sporting goods in 2008 - for several years they had sales on these guns for about $100 less that what they were asking for the walnut stock. The stock's fit and finish were good though it looks a bit plain. I didn't hesitate to screw on a wood extension to increase the length of pull. In any case it shoots just fine and I don't worry about dinging the stock when I'm hunting

 

[Squint Eastwood]

I have an 1894 in .44 mag with a plain birch stock- no checkering, no medallion. I bought it used in new condition- I believe it was purchased new from Big 5. Serial number is an '04 manufacture.

 

[44-40 Willy]

I've seen the birch stock 1894s referred to as the 1894H.

 

[papabear]

The one I looked at was a 2003. Actually, the stock was the best part of the rifle, plain as it was.
best wishes, Jack

 

[Halwg]

Now I understand why I have never heard of Big 5 stores. I googled them and they are located in the west and southwest. Are they similar to Dick's?