Marlin 1894 Serial Number

[avan47]

I just picked up a used Marlin 1894 Cowboy Carbine Ltd. The serial number is a 94 followed by the Roman numerals IV followed by the last 4 numbers. Can anyone explain the significance of the Roman numerals in the serial number? The serial numbers on my other Marlin lever actions are just numbers.

 

[3Crows]

Is it a house brand rifle?

 

[herrwalther]

Based on what I can find with the Google machine, Marlin 1894 rifles with Roman Numerials in the SN were limited production for Davidson's Whole saler

https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/info-on-1894-cowboy-carbine-limited.82632/

 

[Charlie98]

The Limited rifles were LTD I, II, III, IV, and V (...obviously, 1 through 5.) They were limited in production.

I had a LTD V, had a 26" half round, half octagon barrel... and was a pretty nice rifle.

 

[avan47]

Thanks for the info, that is what I wanted to know. I am very happy with the rifle. 20 inch tapered octagon barrel and really nice balance. This rifle was either shot a lot, or it was worked over by a gunsmith. the action is very smooth, and it has an excellent trigger pull. So far it has cycled and shot everything I put through it. The heavy loads with H110 powder are real thumpers, but the 255 cast bullet over 8.5 gr of unique are almost like shooting a 22rf. Quiet and very mild recoil.