Marlin 93 and Marlin 1894

[vintageautomobilia]

I recently bought two interesting Marlins:

1. Marlin Model 93 Carbine, 3-digit serial #924, in .32 Special with factory sling swivels.
I don't know what is normal on these, but this one has a full magazine and no saddle ring. Also, can anyone tell me what year this gun was produced?

2. Marlin Model 1894 Rifle, serial #196282, in 25-20 Winchester with a factory 1/2 octagon and 1/2 round barrel. I'm guessing this is a fairly unusual barrel configuration? Any thoughts?

Peter

[J Miller]

Peter,

I'm not really into old Marlins, ( only cos I never find them for sale when I have funds available ) but our home pages has a section called Marlin Resources. Here's the link:
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/Marli ... mation.htm

There is a section for dating these old rifle there.
You might research them there until Marlinman93 sees your thread. He's our Marlin professor.

Joe

[marlinman93]

The first one will date to post WWI, but need more info to pin it down. Complete rollstamp on the barrel, where the serial number is located, if it has a star on the top tang, an finally if it has the bullseye. I'd also like to see the sling swivels, as they would be unusual for a Marlin, but even more so for a post WWI Marlin, as they usually didn't have that feature. Is it a carbine for sure, or short rifle?
The 1894 is easier, as the serial number dates it to around 1900. The half octagons were all special order, and not seen as often on a 1894 as it would be on a 1893. Is it striaght grip, or pistol gripped?-Vall

[vintageautomobilia]

Joe,
Thanks for your response and your helpful info!

Vall,
Thank you for your response also, and your help. The 93 is a carbine I'm sure with a butt somewhat between a crescent butt and a shotgun butt. The roll stamp on the barrel reads MARLIN FIREARMS CORPORATION on one line, and the line below reads, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A. PATENTED. There is a small star on the top tang and behind that it says MARLIN on one line and below that it says MODEL 93. The serial number is on the lower tang, under the lever. I don't see a bullseye.

On the 1894, the stock has a straight grip.

Peter

[KCSO]

I would have to dig out my Brophy on the Marlin's. Don't ever be surprised at what you might find in a 93/94. The were offered from the factory with a wonderfull list of options. My 32-40 was a 26" barreled rifle with smokless steel barrel, a Lyman peep, a S buttplate ( 1/2 way between a carbine and a rifle) and the sights were a silver blade/ bead with a step elevator flat top rather than the buckhorn. The whole gun was ordered from the factory by a friends grandfather in the early 1900's. Currently I am rebuilding a 25-20 M 94 with a 22" factory barrel. The gun is configured as a short rifle and has not been cut.

[marlinman93]

The "star" marked 93 mMarlins will always date to post 1923, when that stamp was first introduced. The bullseye in the stock began that year too, but when the depression of 1929 hit Marlin dropped the bullseye to save money. It did not reappear until after WWII. Marlin also used up most of the "corporation" marked barrels by the early 1930's, so that helps date your gun. "
With the info you've given I would put your gun in the 1929-early 1930's range.-Vall

[vintageautomobilia]

Thanks Vall.

[vintageautomobilia]

Vall, some further info: My Marlin 93 carbine has the "S" butt plate and Rocky Mountain rear sight. The sling swivels look stock to me and fit perfectly.

Were the Star stamp and the Bullseye introduced at exactly the same time or was there a gap between the two? What is significance of my 3-digit serial number (#924)? Did Marlin go back and start the serial numbers at "1" at some point?

Peter

[marlinman93]

The star and bullseye marks started within a year of each other. The star began first, then the bullseye. The S type buttplate and rocky mountain type sights were both items used on 1920's and 30's carbines, as was the lack of saddlering. The serial numbers were restarted in the 1920's when the Corporation first started in business. Not sure if they started at 001 or not, but I have seen two digit numbers, so they did start under 100.

[vintageautomobilia]

Vall,

Thanks for all your time and answers!

Is it possible that my model 93 carbine (#924) was made circa 1923 after Marlin introduced the star, but before the bullseye? That might explain the Corporation roll stamp on the barrel, the low serial number, and the star with no bullseye.

Peter

[marlinman93]

Yes, it would definitely be the early 1920's.-Vall