*Mint* Marlin 1894 in .25-20
A Turn-of-the-Century Treasure
Every now and then, a rifle stops you cold, and this one did exactly that. While visiting a shop recently, I spotted what may be the prettiest Marlin 1894 I’ve ever laid eyes on. It wasn’t even clear if it was for sale. A few words later, it was — and now it lives in my shop.
This rifle dates to 1905 and remains all original. The wood is exceptional, the casehardening still vivid, and the metal tight as a drum. Even better, nothing has been altered: original sights, no scope holes, no “improvements.” Just honest craftsmanship from a different era. The adjustable front sight is a neat touch — flip it down for a post or raise it to use a small aperture — a clever solution you don’t see every day.
Chambered in .25-20, the rifle adds another layer of charm. Often compared to the .32-20, the .25-20 pushes a roughly 90-grain bullet at 1,500–1,800 fps, depending on the load. I’ve got brass, bullets and a Lee die set ready to go — but I have to shoot it first.
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