GORGEOUS! Marlin Model 1893 Deluxe .38-55 26″ Lever Action Rifle, 1901 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3684.97
LSB#: 230127SH001
Make: Marlin
Model: 1893
Serial Number: 229341
Year of Manufacture: 1901 C&R
Caliber: .38-55 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-Marlin Firearms Co. NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A.- / PATENTED OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL 2. 1889. AUG. 1. 1893″, the left shoulder is marked “SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL” and the top-rear “38-55” at the receiver. The top of the receiver is marked “MARLIN SAFETY”. The upper tang under the tang sight is marked “MODEL / 1893”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number “229341”
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble sight which has a fixed brass-beaded blade and a folding blade with a larger white bead, dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a wide V-notch elevator sight. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Lyman “JA” tang sight installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped forend, pistol grip with characteristic “S”-shaped bottom, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered minor nicks and scratches. There is a tiny fill at the left edge of the buttplate’s upper tang. There are some grain lines starting to open up at the right-rear edge of the buttstocks. The checkering shows handling wear, but is generally well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has mostly muted or worn to white with some minor surface oxidation. The stocks rate in Very Good-plus overall condition
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is infrequent wear and a few minor nicks and scratches. The receiver has some muting toward the bottom-front but retains generally strong case color. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever locks up solidly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office search which confirms that this rifle shipped September 6, 1901 in its current configuration.
Our Assessment: Hot piece alert! This is the first rifle Marlin designed for, then new, smokeless powder cartridges. Marlin christened the improved lever-action Model 1893, and offered it as a rifle or a saddle-ring carbine, both featuring case hardened receivers and sporting blued Ballard match-grade barrels. In 1895, Marlin began chambering its Model 1893 for smokeless powder cartridges, but this one is chambered for the older .38-55 cartridge. Manufactured in 1901, this example is in Fine condition, retaining a lot of strong case color which is fairly scarce for a rifle of this age. It also shipped from Marlin with checkered pistol grip stocks, making it a nice find for collectors. Lots of original finish, a strong bore and good mechanics, what else could you ask for? This is a beautiful old Marlin that is sure to take a special place in your collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
