Marlin Model 1894 Sporting Rifle .32-20 Win., 24-Inch Half-Octagon Barrel, 1896 Production
Manufactured in 1896, this antique Marlin Model 1894 Sporting Rifle offers a scarce combination of a 24-inch half-octagon, half-round barrel chambered in .32-20 Winchester and a factory-drilled tang fitted with a period folding aperture sight. Its color case-hardened receiver, Ballard rifling, and full-length tubular magazine reflect the early engineering that made Marlin lever actions a favorite among turn-of-the-century shooters.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Good – Bright, clean, and well-maintained with minor wear marks. Rifling remains sharp and well-defined.
Specific Condition Notes: Despite its 1896 manufacture, the rifle retains clear early two-patent-date barrel markings and strong color case-hardening. Handling marks are present but do not detract from its well-preserved appearance.
What’s Included
- Marlin Model 1894 Sporting Rifle in .32-20 Win.
- Dovetailed blade front sight
- Semi-buckhorn elevator rear sight
- Factory-drilled tang with period folding aperture sight
This rifle sits within the early production block, its serial number placing it firmly in the second decade of Marlin’s 1894 manufacturing. Chambered in .32-20 Winchester, the Sporting Rifle configuration is less common than carbine variants, adding collector interest.
The 24-inch barrel blends a half-octagon profile for strength at the breech with a round forward section for balanced handling. Inside, Ballard cut rifling with a 1:20 twist supports the small-bore cartridge’s accuracy, while the bore’s brightness confirms careful upkeep over more than a century.
A color case-hardened receiver, steel crescent buttplate, and straight-grip walnut stock underline Marlin’s period craftsmanship. The rich hues of the receiver still show well, and the furniture retains its original lines and fit.
Iron sights include the traditional blade front and semi-buckhorn rear, complemented by a folding tang aperture sight—ideal for finer sight pictures at extended ranges. Together with the 10-round capacity full-length magazine, the rifle remains fully functional for range use or display.