MARLIN or WINCHESTER ? – 2 Lever Actions…………..SOLD
Created on April 19th 2013
Two Superb Lever-Actions, Winchester Model 64A or Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited
The debate has been around for as long as the rifles have, which is to be. Here is the opportunity to own one of the great American lever actions, will it be the Winchester or the Marlin. They are both in mint condition, so that will not feature in the decision. You are faced here by exactly the same dilemma as the original men that bought either of these two fine rifles, which will it be ? I will sit on the fence…ouch!
WINCHESTER MODEL 64A
One of the short run of lever actions produced in the early 70’s. This was presented as having some special order features as standard. It has a pistol grip, a half length tube magazine and the finish is of a higher grade on both the stock and the action. It also has sling mountings fitted as standard, the front being incorporated in the fore-end cap. Chambered in one of the favorite U.S. calibers .30-30 it is light and easy to handle.
Serial number 3712517 is marked on the underside front of the action. High grade blued finish all over, all stampings and markings are blued after being applied. The rifle is 42″ in overall length. The fully round blued barrel is 24″ in length. The barrel is marked with model designation, makers name and address on the rear LHS beside the rear sights. The rear sight is a standard open type with a hooded blade front sight and the ability to change the sight element to change the sight picture. Blued hammer and under-lever with grip safety.
The butt-stock allows for ambidextrous use and has a high comb and flat type European butt plate. All the stock-work has the same high grade finish, probably sprayed. There is a black molded butt-plate with the Winchester Repeating Arms Logo in the center. The rifle is a “Sleeper”, how it has stayed in this condition is unknown, but it has not been refinished. The bore is in mint condition. It shows no signs of use, no marks or rub marks within the action. No traces of brass. This is a rare opportunity to buy a late piece of Winchester history.
Stock No’ f 335
£1195. reduced to £ 1050. SOLD
MARLIN 1894 COWBOY LIMITED
Almost the opposite in appearance with a short compact profile. Full length tubular magazine. Plain matt finish to the stock and forend. Octagonal blued barrel. Chambered in .45 Colt.
41″ in overall length. Octagonal barrel 24″ in length. The bolt on the Marlin opens at the side of the action as opposed to the top as with the Winchester, this allows for case ejection if a scope is mounted. There are blanked off screw holes for mounting of a scope on the top of the action. More thought has gone into finish on the action, in that the top of the action is finished in a matt black, so to avoid glare disrupting sighting of the rifle. The serial number 98201253 is on the LHS of the action.
The action, and obviously the barrel are far more angular on the Marlin than the Winchester. This Marlin has two safety features designed to avoid accidental discharges. The under-lever has a similar safety feature to the Winchester, where it must be fully back in position before the rifle will fire. The second is the addition of a cross-bolt safety catch which stops the hammer from falling fully if not pushed into the firing position.
The barrel is marked on the LH top flat as follows; “1894 COWBOY LIMITED” “THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN. CT. U.S.A. / MODEL 1894CB-CAL.45 COLT” on the adjacent flat is the almost ironic safety warning. The rear sight is an open buck-horn rear type with a white diamond to concentrate the eye. The rifling within is conventional not microgroove.
Once again a complete sleeper, no signs of use, the only thing missing is the box !
Stock No’ f 334
sold @ £800.
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