Make: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: 1893 Takedown Deluxe
Serial Number: 376906
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1907 / C&R
Caliber: .38-55
Action Type: Lever Action Takedown Rifle with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24" Half Octagonal, Half Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade set between a base, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch elevator sight, dovetailed to the barrel; the notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The tang and top of the receiver each have a pair of drilled, tapped, and filled holes.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered Birdseye Maple with a capped forearm, Marlin S-bottom semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered Marlin hard rubber buttplate. The inside of the tang recess has a matching serial number to the receiver and upper tang. The checkering is sharp with faint wear on the peaks. There are a few scattered compressions. There is deeper compression or knot on the right side of the forend near the receiver. There are no chips or cracks outside of a small repaired chip on the toe. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. "RALPH WEAVER / DEERFIELD N.Y." is carved on the buttstock under the buttplate. The stocks rate in about Fine condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Colored
Finish Originality: The receiver is original. The barrel is refinished. The engraving on the receiver appears factory.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is scarce surface freckling toward the muzzle end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its current metal finish. The case hardening on the receiver has taken to a quite even and strong nickel color with trace amounts of figuring. There is stronger figuring in the protected areas. The barre and magtube finish is strong and complete throughout. There are a few minor handling marks. There is light intermittent oxidation. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition as partially refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Marlin Model 1893 was developed by Lewis L. Hepburn as a strengthened, solid-top, side-ejecting lever action capable of handling longer sporting cartridges during the transition from black powder to smokeless ammunition. Initially chambered in .32-40 and .38-55, the design established the mechanical foundation that eventually evolved into Marlin’s Model 36 and Model 336. Deluxe takedown rifles occupied the upper end of Marlin’s sporting line, and this rifle’s half-octagon barrel, half-length magazine, checkered pistol-grip stocks, factory engraving, and highly figured Birdseye Maple furniture form an especially distinctive special-order-style configuration.
This rifle is in about Fine condition overall, retaining approximately 70% of its current metal finish. The receiver retains its original finish with attractive remnants of case-color figuring, while the barrel has been refinished and remains strong throughout. The serial-numbered Birdseye Maple stocks retain sharp checkering and attractive figure, with scattered handling marks and a small repaired toe chip. The bright, sharply rifled bore rates 8/10, and the action functions correctly. The concealed Ralph Weaver inscription beneath the buttplate provides an interesting avenue for future provenance research, though no specific owner has been conclusively identified. With its deluxe takedown configuration, handsome figured furniture, engraving, and desirable .38-55 chambering, this is a compelling Marlin for the advanced lever-action collector.
