Pawn shop find

[usmcdjb]

A friend told me of a pawn shop that he found had a pretty good supply of firearms, so I stopped by last Wednesday when I was in the area to take a look around. Not looking for anything in particular really. Have a small wish list, but just browsing.....

They had several guns. Not a lot that I would consider very high end, but I can be a bit of a gun snob. I handled a Sig P290, and considered it.

But I noticed a lever action rifle on the rack and asked to see it. Was a Marlin 1894 in 44mag. With the exception of a couple handling marks and small dings, and the Marlin bullseye being loose in the stock (but was there so I'll glue it back in), it looked very good. Not even a scratch on the loading gate, so I'm pretty sure it's unfired.

Guy helping me even said they even had the box for it.

Well, I hesitated. Just wasn't sure about the price. And didn't take it with me. But came home and did some research and went back this afternoon hoping it was still there. Yep! I got it!! Wiped it down good when I got home, and can barely see a mark on her. Now the dilemma will be - do I shoot her or not?

Serial number starts with 18xxxx, so believe that makes it manufactured in 1982. JM proof mark on the barrel. And what served as a manual was in the box too.

 

[glock34]

that was a very good find. If you shoot it you will never part with it. I have a 357 and love it.

 

[Bennettjh]

IMHO I would shoot it!

 

[Mosinguy]

I've been looking around for a small chainsaw just for fun. Pawn shops are great places to find cheap tools.

 

[Roland of Gilead]

Take it to your LGS they will tell you if it's collectible and if it would effect the value if shot.

 

[indykid]

Beautiful rifle you have there. Nice find!!!

 

[paperboy]

Looks like a pre-safety model......Nice find!

 

[junior438]

wow nice find. ive stopped by a couple pawn shops and prices were a bit steep.

 

[MarlinMan68]

I would shoot it.It is the most common 1894 model.I don't recall seeing a factory butt pad like that but it may be.Either way its a great gun,congrats on your purchase.

 

[jwh20]

wow nice find. ive stopped by a couple pawn shops and prices were a bit steep.

I'm with you! I'm not an expert on the economics of the pawn business, but it's clearly NOT from selling things to the public.

There are always lots of tools, cell phones, personal electronics, small appliances, and guns but these things are always overpriced. It also seems they are NEVER negotiable on the price. A few months back I was looking for a framing nailer so I stopped by a couple of pawn shops. Sure they had them, but the asking prices were MORE than retail. I went to Lowes and they had the SAME make/model new for LESS than the beat up and used pawn price!

I can just assume that the LOAN side of the business is incredibly lucrative!

But that's a FINE LOOKING rifle! I'd definitely shoot it! What's the point of a rifle you can't shoot? Kinda like a classic car you can't drive!

 

[MikeDVB]

IMHO the only way the value would go down by being shot is if you blew it up. If it functions as it should that should increase the value.

 

[Bikerdad61]

I have one just like it. Shoot it and keep it clean and oiled, it will appreciate in value. You made a very nice find. Someone must have needed some quick cash cause I'm sure they took a ugly loss selling it to a Pawn shop.

 

[Reid]

But that's a FINE LOOKING rifle! I'd definitely shoot it! What's the point of a rifle you can't shoot? Kinda like a classic car you can't drive!

I am the same way, I couldn't handle seeing it in the safe and not knowing how it shoots?!

 

[XDLover]

Looks like a pre-safety model......Nice find!

Gonna go out on a limb and say the hammer has the half cock on it.

I know I love my Marlins and I'm a Marlin fan boy (pre Freedom).
Nice looking gun, but I'll go out on another limb and say you will shoot it!

 

[Manatee]

If you don't shoot it, when you die, your family will sell it to another pawn shop, somebody will buy it, post something on line about it and never shoot it either.

Do you think that's why these rifles were built? To cycle through pawn shops through eternity?

Shoot the dang thing.

Keep the screws snug. Marlins tend toward loosened screws as they are cycled.

 

[Shoots4Fun]

I shoot everything I have...

 

[LarryC]

Yeah, I only own 2 guns I haven't shot - one is a Mosin 91/30 (I have 5 or 6) my wife wanted it as it was made in the year she was born (yep she that old). The other is a (I think 41 cal) CVA black powder revolver. A friend where I worked was an antique collector and had traded for several items - included was this gun in the box never been fired. He didn't collect guns so offered it to me for $30 or so - been about 20 years ago. I have it in a safe - I keep thinking I will fire it, just hasn't happened.

 

[williamnewman1]

congrats, ive found some good gems at pawn shops , but like always gotta dig though the high prices and crap

 

[ryanmercer]

Nice, too bad it's got that rubber pad.

 

[usmcdjb]

Thanks for all the compliments and kind words. Even being from a pawn shop, I think I got it for a few hundred under what I see the few on gunbroker bringing.

I've had a few Marlin lever guns, but I'm no expert by any means. I'm assuming the rubber buttpad was added to the gun. Am I on the right track? Figure that will take some of the bite out of the recoil, but I do prefer original/unmolested.

Still, it's in good shape, and maybe if it is indeed a non-original buttpad, I may be more inclined to actually shoot and hunt with it.