Make: Marlin Fire Arms Co. 

Model: 1893 Takedown Rifle

Serial Number: 253379

Year of Manufacture: 1902, C&R

Caliber: .32 H.P.S. (.32 Winchester Special). 

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / PATENTED OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL 2. 1889. AUG. 1. 1893” and “.32 H.P.S.” at the receiver. The top of the receiver is marked “MARLIN SAFETY”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL / 1893”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number “253379”. The rear sight is marked “MARBLE’S / GLADSTONE / MICH. U.S.A.”. The tang sight is marked “Lyman”, “PAT.JUL. 25.05-OCT.15.07”. The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL.”.

Barrel Length: 32” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman Beech No. 5 combination sight dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed and screwed to the barrel. The top tang has been drilled, tapped, and mounted with a Lyman peep sight. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forearm, straight grip, straight comb, and a crescent steel buttplate. The wood has generally darkened and there is pooled residue along the edges of the forearm. The wood shows scattered compressions, draglines, dings, scrapes, and scratches throughout. The wood is shy of the buttplate at the toe. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has mostly worn white with erosion and pitting that is most notable on the heel. The stocks rate in about Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dull and the rifling is well defined where not interrupted by erosion. There is light erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its current metal finish. The balance of the finish is in general oxidation throughout all metal surfaces. Most of the case color has completely muted. There is thinning and finish loss at the leading edges of the receiver and barrel. There are scattered nicks, dings, and scratches throughout. The screw heads range from lightly tool marked to disfigured with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. The barrel is not original to the gun. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.

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: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Museum letter and an image of the factory records ledger entry for this serial. 

Our Assessment: This is the first rifle Marlin designed for, then new, smokeless powder cartridges. Marlin christened the improved lever-action Model 1893, and offered it as a rifle or a saddle-ring carbine, both featuring case hardened receivers and sporting blued Ballard match-grade barrels. It was produced from 1893 to 1936. This example was manufactured in 1894, making it rather early in production. This would be a good candidate for restoration given its respectable bore and smooth, functioning mechanics, and intact stocks.