Marlin Firearms Model 1893 Deluxe No. A .38-55 Winchester Lever Rifle, C&R
SOLD FOR: $3025
LSB#: 230731RB010
Make: Marlin
Model: 1893 Deluxe No. A Checkering
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 FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / PATENTED, OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL 2. 1889. AUGUST 1. 1893” and “38-55” 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 receiver, the left side of the upper tang, and the upper tang inlet on the wrist are all marked with the serial number “229341”.
Barrel Length: 26″ Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble No. 3 brass beaded blade with a folding white bead leaf that is dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight has been removed and replaced with a blank dovetail. The upper tang is equipped with a folding Lyman peep aperture sight that is fully adjustable.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece No. A checkered deluxe walnut with a capped forearm, s-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and a crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered compressions, draglines, dings and scratches throughout with some spots of light finish loss. There are no visible chips or cracks. The wood-to-metal fit is great. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows scattered nicks, scratches, and minor erosion with trace amounts of case color remaining. The stocks rate in about Very Good-Plus overall condition
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered faint erosion in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 82% of its metal finish. There are some generally dispersed little nicks and fine scratches. Light thinning is visible on the leading edges of the barrel and crown with some slightly more notable finish loss on the top of the barrel where the rear sight used to be. There is a fair amount of case coloring remaining on the receiver and lever. The lever and bolt show some light erosion. The nosecap shows finish loss and light oxidation. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are legible. Overall, this gun rates in about 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 rifle comes with a Cody Firearms letter pulled from their Marlin Firearms record archive.
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 1905, Marlin changed the model designation and upper tang marking to “Model ‘93”. This example has a serial matching Deluxe No. A checkered walnut stock and retains a decent amount of finish given its age and has a surprisingly bright bore with strong mechanics. This would make for a nice collection piece. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Greenfield
