Marlin Firearms Collectors Association

I've been shopping for a 1894C .357 Mag. Some 1894Cs have stock checkering and black walnut wood. Others are plain with some other wood. They seem to have the same model number. How can I tell them apart without actually handling the gun? Am I missing some detail about the model numbers?

Thanks!

also, liberal and from california.....and shopping for a marlin 1894c. i have also noted the differences you mention for the same model number 1894C. perhaps we're shopping at the same places? i see there have been no answers here. the checkered stock i saw at a bonafide gunshop and the uncheckered riflle at Big 5. about a $100 difference when the Big 5 1894C is on sale.

movie zombie

eta: and owner of several revolvers and a marlin 57 .22lr.

no one cares to help the newbies? may be liberal but that's not exclusive to being in support of the 2nd amendment. use it or lose it.

anyone at all have an ideas here?

movie zombie

ps have heard nothing but good re marlin 1894C so i guess i can't go wrong with either.

Not sure when they did it but I think all except the cowboy models are now checkered. If you find one unchecked its not current production, theyre basiclly the same gun though.