Marlin Model 93 Year of Manufacture

tadosan

tadosan

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Hi Folks, I am in possession of a Marlin Model 93 Winchester 32 Special, 20 inch barrel Saddle Carbine.

A four digit Serial number 37XX is displayed underneath the tang. There was a ring with a leather string attached to saddle loop which I have removed.
The caliber (not shown on the pics attached is located underneath the rear sight leaf stamped as "32 SP". The carbine is in mint condition & the last time ( a few months back) I shot it at the range at 50 meters & it shot a very tight group. the barrel is still shiny & no rust mark is found on the rifle. In short, it has been very well preserved.

Some one I know mentioned that it may very well be from the early 1920s. However, I would very much like to get any additional info from groups or individuals knowledgable in regards to this type of firearms.

  • The year of manufacture
  • The current value of the rifle

Photo link attached below for detail pics of rifle.
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/5215897153-1423449570-43702/
 
Manufacture Dates: According to Col. Brophy, the 1893 is particularly tough to date (all early Marlins have their challenges). I see you say "93" not 1893 so that early 20th century date makes sense; they changed the model # to "93" in the early 1900's (sometime between 1905 & 1906). They only have (according to Brophy) confirmed serial # info on the 1893/93 for that 1905-1906 period (but he also says that is the period when they changed the model # to "'93").

Is there a letter prefix in that serial #?

Marlin's early serial numbering wasn't specific to a particular model - they covered all their lever guns of the time. That said there are few records covering the early part of the 20th Century so that statement might not be correct for the 1910s- 1930's; they had changed the serial numbering methods during that time.

I also note that the buttplate is steel and of what they call the "S" carbine type; that may place it in the mid-1930's. Earlier versions of the carbine apparently were most commonly found with the crescent style buttplates. However, nothing truly hard and fast with Marlins. The "S" style was indeed used on other models (and likely also the 1893) through the 1880s/90s and Marlin liked to build rifles from on-hand parts so...

Hope that helps- you can check out the Marlin Owners forum as well they have a forum there dedicated to antique and collectable Marlins.

That is also a beautiful rifle - has it been refinished? If it has that will affect the value.

Value: These are not sought after (yet) by collectors as the Winchesters are; if the bore is good and it functions well and has not been refinished then you're looking at a $400 (refinished as a shooter)-$700 (original and exc.) top dollar range in that caliber (.32 specials don't seem to get the prices in my neck of the woods anyway) and that early/mid 20th Century manufacture date.

My 0.02 anyway. Others will chime in I'm sure and correct if I'm off.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for the detailed reply, NorthCoastBigBore.
That was surely helpful.
As for your questions:
there is no letter on the serial number. Just the 4 digit numbers shown under the Tang.
As far as I know, the Marlin wasn't refinished. All I did after it came into my possession was to clean & polish some parts, both internal & external, just enough to give it a polished look. Other than that, it's all original.
I am more curious about the manufacture period rather than the value (although it's good to know what it's worth). I am more inclined to keep it as a safe queen than selling it. I believe it will be better to keep it than sell it, as you mentioned, it may not be much, but does feel good to have a bit of history in the collection.
I once again thank you for your info & appreciate the lead about making inquiry with the Marlin Owners Forum, which I definitely will post one right away.


Cheers,
 
Glad it is of some use -

I forgot there is also the Marlin-Collectors(.com) Forum (separate from Marlin Owners, which has a "Marlin Collectors" forum itself). I've found them both very useful in the past.

Regardless of general collector interest today, I can see where collector interest in Marlins will surge in coming years. They were a quality rifle back in the day (and they made revolvers too), and had a popular following.

NCBB
 
Nice little carbine and it is refinished as the sides of the hammer have been jewelled. From 1921 to 1924 barrels were marked Marlin Firearms Corporation, after that the Marlin Firearms Co. stamping was used. Having said that Corporation marked barrels are found after 1924 as they were using up old stock. The 93 was discontinued in 1935 in favour of the model 1936. So i would guess 1924 to 1935. Someone else may be able to narrow it down. Value is as a hunter/shooter maybe $450-$550 in my area.
 
thanks for the helpful info & for noticing the unique work done on the hammer for which I didn't know the proper terminology until you mentioned it, Mike Webb. There is always something to be learned on this forum, which makes it a delight & a privilege to be part of.
thanks again NorthCoastBigBore for the additional input which I will be looking into as well. By the way, I did put in my query in the Marlin thread & have already received quite a number of welcomes & suggestions.

It seems like the general indicator for the manufacturing is between the early 1920 to early 1930s. You guys are pretty much on par with our Marlin enthusiasts down South.
I sure hope to learn a thing or two more about this beautiful carbine within the next few days weeks from both Gunnutz & Marlin forum members.
 
Like the guys have said before me the DOM is somewhere in the mid to late 20s. I have to agree that the gun looks refinished as the '93 carbines were case colored. A few of the Model 1893s made around 1906 were referred to as the B grade guns for Black Powder only did have blued frames. Because of the refinished metal the gun will not really appeal to collectors but is an excellent firearm for the shooter and the Hunter who like to hunt with vintage rifles.
Join this site and enjoy the knowledge of some very long time Marlin collectors. http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/index.php
 
Thx for the input Road King. As for your suggestion to check Marlin Collectors website, I just signed up as per suggested by another member & posted on their forum. However, unlike other sites, this forum will pend until my posting is approved by the Moderator.

I most certainly will be keeping this carbine. just wanted to know a bit about it's history.
thanks again for your reply.
 
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