Marlin 1894 .218 Bee

[jeager106]

I have Marlins in 30-30/.35/.22/357/.45 Colt/.44 mag./ 45-70 and one in .218 Bee.
I don't want the Bee. I may have a lot of lever guns, I like lever guns, but I'm NOT a purist collector. This Bee is a modern rendition of the current series of 1894's.
The Bee is mint. I love lever guns but am really not a coolectpr per say.
I sure don't want to start shooting and loading another caliber.
So what is this thing worth in 99.9 % condition.
I want to peddle it on one of the gun auctions but have no idea what price to expect.
I suspect there weren't a ton of .218 Bee's made and sold.
I'd like your thoughts on this.
Many 1894's have collector value. Is this one of them?
I like the 1894C (.357) so well that I bought one for the wife. Cheap shooters. accurate enough and fun.
Any info on the Bee? How many were made, etc. Are they still a catalog item?
Thanks for giving any thought to this.

[hotrunner]

My Gun Digest says they were made from 1988-1993. I heard a rumor they might start another run, but think it may have been bogus.
Unless they're gaining some collector value, the used value for an excellent condition is $450, VG only $300(?).

[Graybeard]

I believe you are kidding yourself if you think they are rare and valuable collector guns. They just sell as shooters and really for little more than .30-30s and .35s. It would be a nice one to have but honestly if I had it I'd likely rechamber it to .25-20.

[DEACONLLB]

I saw one at a gun shop in Oklahoma city but he has a reputation of being very high on his guns, it was scoped and he wanted 850.00 also had a sling ,also saw one at a gun show for 650.00. As was said marlin may be remaking some of the old cal. as I saw a new 32-20 long barrel in Gander mountain about 6 months ago. What a person is willing to pay will be more in line with what it is worth and a collector will pay more if he just has to have it to fill out a collection that is if it is in mint condition but as a shooter the 350 to 450 is more in line for its value.
Deaconllb

[hotrunner]

How does that Bee shoot, jeager?
Wonder why more lever guns aren't built in more small varmint centerfire calibers? I know lever-actions cost more to manufacture and usually aren't that accurate, but wouldn't think it would cost that much more for a mf'r. to add an inch to a barrel, maybe free-float it, etc.  In this neck of the woods (OH), farmers like me would love to have one as a truck or barn gun and, if chambered in a Hornet or .17 Rem., etc. could shoot MOA, would buy one.  (Am not interested in a .22-250 BLR as I have a BA in that cal. and want something more user-friendly but "bigger" than my 9422.)

[jeager106]

The gun business can be a fickle affair indeed.
My "books" show a top value of $450 also.
You absolutely cannot trust book value when talking of something that could be collectable.
I found two "closed" auctions with Marlin Classics in 32-20 that sold for $675, and $705.
That is todays money in the real world.
The gun value books can't give todays value in real money in real time like the recently closed auctions.
I have a pair of 5.5 inch Ruger SBH in .44 mag with sim. Ivory grips.
One fellow told me they were used SBH and nothing more, worth about $350 tops.
Never mind that Ruger NEVER made a 5.5 inch SBH.
A fellow wants to look mine over today at a set price of $1200 bucks.
If he is not full of cow cakes like so many in the gun world I'll sell 'em in a heart beat.
By the way. ANY 3 screw SBH in nice shape should pull between $400 and $450 in todays market.
I saw a MINT Swede 6.5x55 mauser with a price of $850.00 on it.
Did it sell?
Heck NO! $400.00 tops if a guy really wanted it that badly.

[cwlongshot]

Yup, ASKING price is just that.. selling is another story!!! If the market will bear it it will sell... 3-4 is all i would spend and that would be a really nice one.

 I had the three of them, I bought them when new. The 32 and 25 are excellent shooters under 2" at 100, with open sites off a bench. The 32-20 is a favorite!! The bee is not maybe 3-4" at 100. I even mounted as big known good scope to see if it was just me.. I got consistant 3" groups. Its plenty accurate as a plinker and close range varminter. My buddie owns the Bee now. It keeps his garden full of veggies!!

 CW

[S.B.]

Retail market is too high but, I'd love to own one of these. Make a nice carbine for coyotes.
Steve