Question for you Marlin experts

Killer Kanuck

Killer Kanuck

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I'm in the process of having a rifle tranferred to me. It's a Marlin lever action - I'm assuming a model 1893. But it only has the 1887 and 1889 patent dates on the barrel. Caliber is 38-55, so it can't be an 1889. "Marlin Safety" on the top of the action. Serial number (early 90,000's) dates it in 1893. Doesn't have "Special Smokeless Steel" or "For Black Powder" on the barrel (which is 24" full octagon, by the way).
So, am I correct in assuming that it's an early production 1893, and that being why the 1893 patent date is missing?
I'm just planning on running black powder loads through her, but would she handle smokeless?
 
Marlin rifle

I have a Marlin 1893 in .25-36 Marlin with a 26 inch octagon barrel. It is stamped Model 1893 on the upper tang and Special Smokeless Steel on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. Your rifle is probably not safe for smokeless loads.
 
JP said:
I would say its a Model 1889 rifle, Model 1893's will be marked on the tang.
Click to expand...

Can't be an 1889, no 38-55 in that model.
It's probably an early 1893, in my experience (not nessecarily w/ Marlin) that most early 38-55 caliber guns are not marked Special Smokless Steel or black powder only!

One thing you will learn with all old guns is that there are NO firm rules on dates, stamps, or configurations. :)
 
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