Any good sources of info on original Marlin 1895s?

[cubrock]

I wound up with a Marlin 1895 in .40-82 recently and that has me reading all I can on them. There isn't much to find. Was curious where I can find more definitive info on them?

My gun dates to 1905 and, interestingly, appears to have two holes factory drilled and tapped on the top of the receiver. The "Marlin Safety" roll-stamp is farther forward to accomodate the holes, which is what makes me think it is a factory job. I'd not seen this before.

Anywho, any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[cowboykell]

After 1903 Marlin drilled and tapped the receivers for the Hepburn sight.

[cubrock]

After 1903 Marlin drilled and tapped the receivers for the Hepburn sight.

Thanks!

[AJMD429]

After 1903 Marlin drilled and tapped the receivers for the Hepburn sight.

What is a "Hepburn" sight...?

I assume it isn't one of these....

[jdad]

After 1903 Marlin drilled and tapped the receivers for the Hepburn sight.

What is a "Hepburn" sight...?

I assume it isn't one of these....

[cubrock]

Thanks for that picture, jdad. I was wondering what a Hepburn sight was, myself.

[Mike D.]

All ORIGINAL 1895 Marlins, regardless of caliber, have Special Smokeless Steel barrels, which was Marlin's version of Winchester's Nickel Steel. '95 Marlins are large and well built rifles, but don't yet command the price and respect of the 1886 Winchester.

[airedaleman]

Brophy's book is probably the best single source of information on early Marlins.. Something to consider when comparing the values of Winchester and Marlin guns is the great disparity in production numbers. Marlin serially numbered their guns as produced, regardless of the model. By 1906, at which date the records available stop, Marlin had produced a total of approximately 360,000 firearms. How many had Winchester churned out by then? A lot more, I'll bet.
Forty-odd years ago, I decided to be a "collector" and specialize in early Marlin lever actions because A.) they were affordable compared to Winchesters, and B.) I knew even then that they were a lot scarcer than Winchesters. I had some nifty pieces (including a Model 1895 TD in 38-56, with 32" barrel), but growing responsibilities and GCA 68 (ending mail order purchases of long guns) took me out of the ranks of the "collectors." Right now, I'm happy with the first-year 336ADl, and the 30TK I found in the past year or so.

I DO wish that Brophy's book had been around back then! One of these days I'm going get a copy before I kick off