Marlin 1894 Century Ltd. 44-40

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy to the camp.

When I started CAS in 1994, I started with a Rossi 44-40.  Shortly after that (early 1995) I located a Marlin Century Ltd. that was like NIB at Iamnobody's shop in the bay area.  I bought it sight unseen and loved it.  Beautiful Turnbull case colors, smooth action, engraving, a tack driver.  Later, however, the Henry bug bit me and I traded the Century Ltd. for a Henry. I regreted it and later bought back the Century Ltd. when I could afford it.  In 1997, however, I went out on a 50% disability retirement from the Sheriff's Office and sold it and most of my guns (Century Ltd., Henry, engraved Schofield, Legendary Frontiersman, Creedmore rifle, CAR15, etc.)

Well, that was 10 years ago.  Lately I have been shooting Henries, and more lately 56-50 Taylor's Spencers as main match guns.  I have always missed the Century Ltd. though, and looked longingly at them on auction sites, but they are scarce and $$$$, usually $1100 to $1200.

Well, there is a happy ending.  I was at the Murietta posse match last month and River City Gun Runner had a really nice 44-40 Century Ltd on his table for sale.  The tag said $900, but he said he would sell it for $800 if I wanted it.  i went home, sold my Henry (I have the Spencer - which I prefer to Henry-  for my early persona), went to his gun shop, Rancho Cordova Guns, and bought it!

I picked it up last week.  Man, I really love it.  Nice figured American Walnut, brass crescent buttplate and forend cap, cut chequering, GORGEOUS Turnbull real bone color case hardening, atrractive receiver engraving, and a SMOOOOOOTH as silk action.

Last night after work I took the 1894 Century Ltd. to my rifle range on the ranch below my house.  For initial sight in, I used Black Hills 44-40. I did a casual rest, leaning on a couple milk crates at 25 yards. 

THe first 25 yard group, it shot a ragged ONE HOLE 3 shot group, dead on POA!  I adjusted the sight for the impact to be about 1-2" above POA at 25 to give it a dead on zero to 75 yards.  I then shot several full boxes of BH 44-40 off-hand, freestanding, at ranges from 35-50 yards.  Pop cans, pine cones, dirt clods, baseball sized rocks (naughty me) - all bit the dust.  It swung so effortlessly, cycled smooth as silk, and just couldn't miss!  What a joy to shoot!

After years of shooting mainly Henries and Spencers, it seemed like I was almost as fast as Bad Lands Bud (Just kidding!). It also took me back to the early years of CAS.

Interestingly enough, I had recently gone back to using a Schofield and a 45 Colt Remington as main match pistols, just like when I started with my original Century Ltd. twelve years ago. The only difference is that then I used an 1875 in 45 Colt, and now I use an Uberti 1858 factory gated cartridge conversion .45 Colt from Taylors.

I think I will shoot the Century Ltd. again tonight!

[Will Ketchum]

Sounds like you got a winner.  I have nevr favored the looks of the modern Marlins but that is just me.  I now they are reliable rifles.

Will Ketchum

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Will, I understand.  I am pretty retro myself, favoring a hammered Liberty II, a 56-50 Spencer carbine, and Remmie and Colt cartridge conversions,  and of course Schofields.

As for the 1894 Marlins, though, I like them better than both the 1873 and the 1892 Winchesters.  Henry and 1866ss are much cooler than the 73 and 92!

I have owned 2 1889 Marlins (one in 38 WCF and one in 44 WCF) and a pre-1900 1894 marlin in 38 WCF.  With a slight difference in firing pin and locking lug/lever engageement, the 1889 is almost identicle to the 1894 - including the Century Ltd.

I will still use my Spencer at most matches, at least for a couple of stages, but this Century is so very PRETTY, and so SMOOTH, I'll have to shoot it some stages, too!

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Well, Its for sale in classifieds.  Raising money for another original Spencer.  (Just can't leave my Henry!)