Factory Engraved Marlin Model 1893 26″ .38-55 Win. Lever Rifle 1893 Antique
SOLD FOR: $4,475
LSB#: 231026DJ007
Make: Marlin
Model: 1893
Serial Number: 101322
Year of Manufacture: December 20, 1893 (Factory Letter Shipping Date)
Caliber: .38-55 Winchester
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.” in front of the rear sight and “38-55” at the receiver. The top of the receiver is marked “MARLIN SAFETY”. The front of the trigger plate is marked “101322”. The upper tang inlet on the wrist is marked with a faded serial number that starts with “111”. The inside of the toe of the buttplate is marked “192888”. The receiver is factory engraved with decorative borders and floral scrolls and the left side is engraved with “Walter A. Lewis”.
Barrel Length: 26″ Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german-silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed into the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notched elevator sight dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece No. B checkered walnut with an S-bottom pistol grip, capped forend, and case-colored steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks and dings, most notably along the belly. Some of the grainlines on the left side of the buttstock have opened up a bit. The LOP measures 13 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate’s case color has mostly muted, most of which has gone to a dark patina. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine-Plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with deep rifling. There is erosion and light pitting scattered through the bore, mostly in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, this bore rates a 6 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors’ firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. There are scattered nicks, dings and scratches. The receiver and barrel have turned a light mustard patina. There is scattered light erosion on the barrel. The mag tube has generally strong finish with some scattered light surface oxidation, infrequent spots of minor surface erosion, and a few light nicks and scratches. The magazine tube has the majority of the remaining finish with light-moderate surface erosion on the bottom. The lever, bolt and hammer show light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The firing pin has been replaced. The hammer has a half-cock safety but will still fall if the trigger is pulled hard enough. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The original firing pin is included along with paperwork including a factory letter from the Cody Firearms museum.
Our Assessment: Marlin’s Model 1893 rifle was actually the precursor to the Model 36 and eventually the Marlin Model 336. Few guns have ever been produced and used as widely as the 336 and this is where it all started. The M1893 was renamed the Model 93 in 1905, but Model 1893 marked receivers continued to be used up for several years. This M1893 rifle was was shipped on December 20, 1893, before the use of smokeless powder. Chambered for .38-55 Winchester, it has likely taken its share of deer over the last century. It is an interesting example in the evolution of the design, having the reinforcing screw for the trigger plate on the left of the receiver but was made before the cartridge stop was extended, requiring a hole in the bottom of the trigger plate at the front. This factory engraved rifle is in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique with about 20% of its finish remaining. This is a great example of an 1893. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Greenfield
