Models 1889 and 1894 - .44-40's Where are they all at ??

[BUSSMAN69]

I have been avidly collecting old, original Marlin lever guns for about a year now. I have acquired 16 so far and am off to a great start. But I am still relatively new at this. My 2 favorite books that I read over and over are of coarse, Brophy's Bible and Mike Venturino's "Shooting Lever Guns Of The Old West". Something that I noticed right away in my quest, was the scarcity of the Pistol Caliber models, (1888, 1889 & 1894) in .44-40 Caliber. Brophy even states that in the Model 1889, that .44-40 was the most common and popular caliber. But where are they all at ??
When you look on the popular gun websites, Gunbroker, Auction Arms, Guns America, etc. You rarely ever see one. Those same models in .38-40 and .25-20, and even .32-20 to a lesser extent, are everywhere. And when you do see the occasional one in .44-40 show up, it brings a premium. Almost every one of the few that I have seen in the last year, have multiple issues. Obvious damage, bad bores, removed or replaced sights, replacement stocks, broken stocks, refinished or reblued, etc. And they will still bring $1800 Plus. Are people that desperate to own anything made by Marlin that has .44-40 stamped on it ?? Where are all of these .44-40 chambered rifles at ?? It's like trying to find Hen's Teeth.

[oodmoff]

wait till you try to add a saddle ring to one....

or an 1888

[oodmoff]

Here is an '89 .44-40 that resides in my stable...






Btw 16 is a year is a helluva start...keep er going dont give up..

[BUSSMAN69]

OODMOFF,
That is a beautiful Model 1889 and in .44-40 to boot. I would be very proud of that one. Thanks for sharing that with us.

[Zuki]