Marlin Model 1894 .44 Rem Magnum Lever-Action Rifle – 1979 JM-Stamped Pre-Safety, Micro-Groove Barrel
Built in 1979 at Marlin’s North Haven plant, this Model 1894 pairs classic lever-action handling with the potent .44 Rem Magnum cartridge. A JM proof stamp, pre-safety receiver, and 12-groove Micro-Groove rifling mark it as one of the final Model 1894s produced before the cross-bolt safety was introduced, making it especially desirable to collectors. A gold-plated trigger, straight-grip walnut stock, and factory-drilled solid-top receiver round out a package that blends traditional styling with practical field features.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
This rifle shows mild evidence of prior shooting and has been well cared for since manufacture.
What’s Included
- Receiver-mounted micrometer aperture sight (installed)
Made during the last year before Marlin added the cross-bolt safety, this rifle retains the traditional half-cock hammer notch for on-safe carry without altering the receiver’s lines. Collectors often seek out these pre-safety examples for their cleaner appearance and period-correct operation.
The 20-inch carbon-steel barrel features Marlin’s Micro-Groove rifling—12 shallow lands designed to reduce fouling and improve velocity with jacketed .44 Magnum loads. A 1:38 right-hand twist stabilizes the full range of .44 Special and .44 Magnum bullets, letting the shooter tailor recoil and performance.
Feeding from a 10-round tubular magazine, the side-eject, solid-top receiver is drilled and tapped at the factory, so adding an optic requires no gunsmithing. For those who prefer irons, the rifle carries a hoodless ramp front sight, semi-buckhorn rear, and the included micrometer aperture sight for precise elevation and windage adjustments.
The straight-grip walnut stock wears a white-line spacer and plastic butt-plate, keeping weight trim while maintaining the classic lines of early Marlin lever guns. A gold-plated trigger adds a distinctive visual touch that sets this era apart from later production.
Chambered in .44 Rem Magnum, the Model 1894 conveniently shares ammunition with many popular revolvers, making it a versatile choice for hunters, ranchers, and collectors alike.