Lets get a some lever action #### going
- Thread starter TheManInBlack
- Start date
Well we all have heard the saying "Time has stood still." Well yesterday after travelling across the border and through 3 States I picked up a rifle I had heard about almost a year ago. The 86 year old gentleman that I purchased the gun from said he remembered the rifle hanging in the house he grew up in and never remembered his father ever using it and that it belonged to his grandfather before that. The man that I got the gun from said he never used it and never really considered using it as it was always referred to as the "Old gun on the wall". The gun turned out to be a Marlin Model 1888 in .38-40, this was Marlin's first lever action rifle designed for the common pistol cartridges of the day, .44-40, .38-40 & .32-20. Marlin described this rifle......because it combines the simplest and strongest possible locking mechanism with the greatest accuracy and beauty of outline..... This action , because of it's great simplicity, admits of being made in much more compact and very much lighter model than any of the antiquated arms for sale for the same as asked for the NEW MODEL 1888 Remember this was four years before Winchester developed the Model 1892. The gun is in the condition that all of in the collecting fraternity are always looking for and for me being a Marlin Collector it was like being able to go back in time, walk into the local hardware store and say "I'll take that New Model Marlin you have there on the rack!" The rifle would have cost $21.50 in 1888.
The gun is in almost like new condition and what is also special it is still dressed like the day it came from the factory with a longer barrel than standard. The Model 1888 Marlin is also among the scarcest models to fine because it was Marlin's last top ejecting models and was produced for less than a year. There were only 4,814 rifles made of this model, 1,776 made in .38-40 cal. and only 264 with 26 inch barrels.
This gun letters as being made Nov.7, 1888, in .38 cal., octagon 26" barrel, full magazine holding 14 cartridges.
The previous owner apologized for the condition of the butt plate , hammer and lever but could not understand why they had turned the strange colors they had. I assured him that these parts were what is referred to as case coloring and that is how it came from the factory.
This rifle is likely the highest condition Marlin in my collection and very happy to have it in my care after 125 years.
Thanks to CGN for letting me share this.
Congratulations Brian, what a find. With only that many made over such a short period of time, to find one that has lasted this long and in this condition is extraordinary. You really do turn up some gorgeous Marlins. I, like you, look for the same with my Winchester 1894s. I like to find them - if I can - in "like new" or close to it condition. This does not happen often. But when it does, like you said it makes you feel like you just walked into the hardware store and said "I'll take it". Almost makes you feel like you are the first owner, just really takes a fellow back in time. I admire the old work craftsmanship and pride that went into the making and hand fitting of these fine old guns. Guess you can say that was a trip well worth it. I can just imagine the smile on your face on the drive back home!
Thanks for sharing,
Matt
Thanks Matt and the rest of the members for the comments on this rifle, I guess "Santa did get my letter early this year!" This thread has been great for lever gun collectors whether they are interested in new lever guns or the vintage rifles of the past. I hope by sharing of my collection it will keep the interest in gun collecting going for generations to come. We that have these collections now are only caretakers for the next generation.
Here are a couple more photos of this rifle taken outside.
This thread has been great for lever gun collectors whether they are interested in new lever guns or the vintage rifles of the past. I hope by sharing of my collection it will keep the interest in gun collecting going for generations to come. We that have these collections now are only caretakers for the next generation.Here are a couple more photos of this rifle taken outside.
Well, after owning dozens of levers over the years, this is the last one, and I'll never part with it, though I should get it some more company. Savage 99 in .250-3000 that I rescued from an estate sale years ago. The metal was decent but the finish was pretty much all gone. The stocks were destroyed. Looked like a beaver had been at it while it was sitting in a pond somewhere, poor thing. So I cleaned it up and put some new stocks on it and topped it off with a new Marbles tang sight. All in all, she's a great little deer gun. Eventually I plan to get some matching stocks made for it, but it's great as it is.
okcorral1881
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East of Toronto
Over the years Winchester made a number of their models in full wood, some were muskets while others were carbines.
okcorral1881
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East of Toronto
looks better from that angle.
To me, I like the looks of the carbines, the barrel and magazine not overly long past the middle length wood stock (extends past the read band an inch or two more) with the sight hood mostly found on the newer 94's, cosmetically it seems balanced, and it doesn't feel like a lever if you cant see a full length tubular magazine. Not that I have anything against any of the other levers, all beauties, but cosmetically this combo appeals most to me.
To me, I like the looks of the carbines, the barrel and magazine not overly long past the middle length wood stock (extends past the read band an inch or two more) with the sight hood mostly found on the newer 94's, cosmetically it seems balanced, and it doesn't feel like a lever if you cant see a full length tubular magazine. Not that I have anything against any of the other levers, all beauties, but cosmetically this combo appeals most to me.
The Montreal Home Guard was created in WW1. There were approx. 800 of these unique Savage muskets purchased for the Home Guard. This unit operated with close to 2500 members in the city of Montreal. They were chambered in the 303 Savage cartridge so as not to delay delivery which would have resulted if the design was altered for the standard Canadian 303 British Mk II cartridge. The Guardsmen were responsible for purchasing their own rifles and had the option of having their names stamped on the stock. Many also chose to have their names engraved on the left side of the receiver, (not the case with this rifle).
This picture shows the some of the MHG holding these rifles.
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/collection/artifacts/II-208524
This picture shows the some of the MHG holding these rifles.
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/collection/artifacts/II-208524
