I would not buy a new Marlin unless I could put my hands on it and give it a very close look. Remington is still shipping some out with canted sights. Stock fit is another potential issue.
I've got a 1952 Waffle-top 336RC that has canted sights. Marlin has never been perfect.
Not that it matters, it actually is positioned so it gives you a better cheek weld.
My grandfather took more deer & hog with it than I could shake a stick at...
I'll be trying to catch up with him for the rest of my life
Oh, this is what Waffle-top means...it looked like the old waffle iron pattern...
fairly rare to find an Unmolested one these days, lotta folks D/T'd 'em for scopes.
Anyway, specifically to the .357 Model 1894, SASS types are gonna buy em like Hotcakes
Hard to beat a Marlin 1894 for slickness after you get 'em worked in good!
I used a .44 chambered 1894 back when my old 4-digit SASS number was in effect,
went well with a pair of .44 Uberti 1873 Cattlemen