Marlin 1894S .44 Magnum Question - Is It Original?

[J.Solo]

I have a chance to buy a nice Marlin 1894S .44 Magnum lever action rifle with 20" Microgrove barrel and cross bolt safety for $275. Gun is in overall good condition but my concern is that the Walnut stock does not have the "Bulls Eye" inlay in the butt stock. Both rear stock and forarm are plain and un-checkered. The Butt stock has the traditional Marlin plastic butt plate. Serial number of the gun is 170817XX.

My questions are:

Did Marlin ever make a Micro Groove 1894 .44 Magnum lever action rifle without the "Bulls Eye" inlay in the walnut butt stock?

Is $275 a far price for this gun?

Thanks in advance - J.Solo

[J.Solo]

Thanks for the pictures.
I can see the Bulls Eye inlay in yours on the bottom of the stock.
J.Solo

[J.Solo]

I think I fiqured it out. The original owner used the "Bulls Eye" inlay as the place to put the rear sling swivel stud. There are very light surface rust spots on the top of the barrel. So is $275 a far price to pay for this Micro Groved 1983 manufactured gun or should I go the $399 for a new 1894S with the ballard rifeling?
Thanks - J.Solo

[Kingfish]

I've got a 1894S with the ballard rifling and after I finally got the barrel broke in, it shoots cast bullets better than jkt.

Bill