16708
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Marlin Model 1894 Unknown Caliber
10/1/2025
Anthony Kingwoodwv
Maker: Marlin, Model: 94, Caliber: Dont Know, Barrel Length: No Barrel, Finish: Long Gun - Blue, SN: 326700
Markings:
Just the reciever
Question:
How can I tell what caliber it is to complete the gun
Answer:
Anthony- The Marlin 1894 is a lever action rifle designed for shorter pistol caliber cartridges, more or less a competitor to the Winchester Model 1892. It has been in production more or less continuously since 1894 under Marlin`s name and made by them, and then under Remington ownership and now under Ruger ownership. Parts are probably close, but not 100% interchangeable between the three makers.
Wikipedia has a good write up on the Marlin Model 1894 at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlin_Model_1894 for historical background.
A really great summary of the different calibers is over on 1895gunner.com which is loaded with stuff on lever action rifles, and HIGHLY recommended. Let me quote from his page on the 1894 Marlin at https://1895gunner.com/gunroom/marlin1894home.html
QUOTE
The Marlin model 1894 has been factory supplied in 11 chambering`s (13 with dual calibers 38 special/357 Mag and the 44 special/44 Mag) and as of this writing at least two custom houses offer between the two of them five more calibers.
• Ranger Point Precision 10mm, 40 S&W, .357 SIG, 40 Super, 45 ACP
• Grizzly Custom Guns 10mm, 45 ACP
Marlin offerings:
• 218 Bee (The cartridge was introduced as a commercial cartridge by Winchester in 1937 and introduced by Marlin in an 1894CL in 1993. Only 5,000 were made)
• 22 WMRF (introduced in 1959 by Winchester, but was not used in a lever gun by Marlin until 1982 in the model 1894M)
• 25-20 (The .25-20 Winchester, or WCF (Winchester center fire), was developed around 1895 and was one of the initial chambering`s in a model 1894)
• 32-20 (initially introduced as a black-powder cartridge in 1882 for small-game, varmint hunting, and deer. Another early chambering in the 1894`s)
• 32 H & R Mag (developed in 1984 as a joint venture between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Cartridge was chambered in a Marlin 1894 from 2004-2006)
• 38-40 (introduced by Winchester in 1874 and chambered in early model 1894`s)
• 357 Mag (introduced in 1934, Marlin added this chambering in 1979 to the 1894C)
• 41 Mag (introduced in 1964 by the Remington Arms Company, intended for hunting and law enforcement purposes was first chambered in an 1894 in 1985)
• 44-40 (introduced in 1873 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. It was the first metallic centerfire cartridge manufactured by Winchester and became one of the first chambering`s in the Marlin model 1894)
• 44 Mag (Smith & Wesson developed the model 29 for this new cartridge in December 1955. The cartridge was developed by Elmer Keith. In 1969 Marlin introduced the chambering into the old style 1894`s)
• 45 Colt (It was originally a black-powder revolver round developed for the Colt Single Action Army revolver in 1872. It was initially chambered in the new model 1894`s starting in 1989)
The Marlin 1894 was originally patented on August 1, 1893 by L.L. Hepburn. With this design, Marlin simplified and strengthened the internal lever-action mechanism while continuing the practice of using a flat solid steel top receiver with side ejection. With the Model 1894, Marlin removed the rear-locking lug, which extended down into the trigger guard and had a tendency to pinch the shooter`s fingers during rapid-fire cycling. Other design improvements over the Model 1889 included a one-piece trigger and a two-piece firing pin to prevent the rifle from firing unless the finger lever was fully closed or if the locking lug were missing. Additionally, the finger lever lock of the Model 1889 was eliminated on the Model 1894 and replaced by a latch built into the lever itself.
END QUOTE- but please go check out their other info!
Now, for your problem having an action but no barrel. Your serial number 326700 indicates it was made in 1905, assuming my understanding Marlin`s convoluted serial number system got it right. I suspect that the action internals are the same for all calibers except the bolt may be different for different calibers, but I am not 100% certain if these have recessed bolt faces or a flat face which may work for multiple calibers. So, an original Marlin made barrel may be ready to go. Or, a gunsmith can take an appropriate caliber barrel blank and thread it and chamber it for you.
Frankly, while Marlins are well made guns, they really have modest values, and the expense of getting a barrel and sights and forend may be a lot more than the finished project may be worth. However, if you like home gunsmithing and tinkering and want to do this as a project without too much concern about costs, then go for it.
Good luck!
John Spangler
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