Marlin No. 3 Engraved Model 1893 .25-36M 24″ Lever Action Rifle, 1899 C&R

SOLD FOR: $4125.01

LSB#: 230920RB004

Make: Marlin

Model: 1893 No. 3 Engraved

Serial Number: 171171

Year of Manufacture: 1899

Caliber: .25-36 Marlin

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / PATENTED OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL 2. 1889. AUG. 1. 1893” and “.25-36 M” at the receiver. The left shoulder of the barrel next to the rear sight is marked “SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL”.  The top of the receiver is marked “MARLIN SAFETY”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL / 1893”. The bottom of the lower metal is marked “334866”; it is not original to the receiver. The left side of the upper tang is marked with the serial number “171171”. The receiver has No. 3 engraving. The left side shows a dog chasing a deer. The right side shows a game scene. There are decorative borders and floral scrolls throughout. The front sight is marked “MARBLES” and “SHEARD”. The tang sight is marked with patent dates.

Barrel Length: 24” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a German silver blade that is dovetailed to the receiver. The rear sight is a U-notch elevator sight that is dovetailed to the barrel. The upper tang is drilled, tapped, and filled in two places for installing a tang sight (not included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped forearm, S-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and a hard rubber Marlin buttplate. The stock set matches the lower tang metal but is not original to the receiver. The stocks have some scattered light draglines and compression marks. There are no visible chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows scuffs and scratches and a small amount of material loss at the toe with well defined checkering and logo. The stocks rate in about Very Good-Fine overall condition as not original to the receiver.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with erosion in the grooves. The rifling is well defined. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The receiver and forearm cap shadow a light mottled patina with scattered erosion. The case coloring has gone completely mute on the receiver and lever. There is scattered light surface oxidation throughout the barrel and magazine tube. There is thinning on the leading edges. There are scattered little dings and scratches about the metal, mostly on the barrel though. The screw heads are mostly sharp. The markings are clear and the engraving is strong. Overall, this gun rates in about Good-Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. 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 firearm comes with a letter from the Cody Firearms Museum.

Our Assessment: 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, as seen here. This example is chambered in .25-36 Marlin and is the only model having been made in this chamber. This example features Marlin No. 3 pattern engraving showing game scenes on either side with beautiful floral scrolls and decorative borders. It was manufactured in the year 1900 and retains about 50% of its finish and the mechanics are sound. This would make for a nice collection piece. Please see our photos and good luck!

-Greenfield