Older Marlin questions

[dstegjas]

I have been thinking about picking up and older pre-cross bolt 1894 in .44 mag rifle. I was curious if the older models all came with walnut stock on them. I have seen a few posting that don't say what the stock are but only describe them as a redish color. That doesn't really tell me much about the wood. The last question is probably a little harder to answer. I am looking for something in the 90% to 95% range. I was wondering what the average price that I can expect to pay for one in this condition.

Thanks everyone.

Jim

[Halwg]

Yes, $450 - $550

[Swany]

One thing before you start searching for a .44 I do hope you are a reloader. While jacketeds do shoot pretty good a good gas checked cast of the proper dia .431 at least will do wonders for accuracy.

[Rangr44]

AFAIK, the Marlin 1894's have always been stocked with Black Walnut, except for some Special or Limited Editions.

The "reddish" description may be a reference to wood stain, either factory of aftermarket.

.

[shawlerbrook]

Wasn't the "Marlin Bulleye" in the stock intended to mean walnut? Around here give or take $500.

[RIF]

When marlin added a safety to their design, it did not affect anything else, unlike a 94 that has a rebounding hammer which can sometimes lead to light hammer strikes.  It still has a half cock.  To me, its just an aesthetics thing on a Marlin and never let it keep me from buying one.  Just my opinion of course.  They make a neat saddle ring that pops in the safety hole and takes about 5 minutes to install ifn ya hate it that much. 

As far as I know all 44 magnum levers in both 336 and 94 models had walnut stocks.  The bullseye was only put into walnut at the factory.