Make: Marlin
Model: 1893
Serial Number: 267628
Year of Manufacture: 1903 / C&R
Caliber: .32-40
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 22", 1/2 Octagon, 1/2 Round. The barrel was originally a full octagon.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade set in 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 top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped forend, pistol grip with characteristic "S"-shaped bottom, straight comb and checkered hard rubber Marlin buttplate. The stocks have some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The checkering is defined with light peak wear. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks rate in Very Good-plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original, partially refinished. A portion of the barrel has been refinished, the barrel was made into the half round barrel and the round portion was reblued.
Bore Condition: The bore is dull and the rifling is defined. There is light erosion throughout. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish. The receiver has worn to white and taken to a mottled patina. The case color muted with faint figuring visible in the protected areas. The blueing on the barrel is strong with thinning at the muzzle. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever locks up solidly. 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 includes a CFM Record Search which confirms this rifle's half magazine, rubber buttplate, pistol grip stock, 22" octagon barrel, and a shipment date of May 29, 1903. This rifle did not ship with the 1/2 round, 1/2 octagon barrel.
Our Assessment: Marlin’s Model 1893 was a strengthened evolution of the company’s earlier side-ejecting lever actions, initially built around the .32-40 and .38-55 cartridges and forming the foundation for the later Model 36 and 336 family. Marlin was notably receptive to special orders during this period, offering buyers variations in barrel length, magazine length, stocks, buttplates, sights, and other details. Contemporary Marlin literature shows that checked select wood and pistol-grip furniture were substantial extra-cost options, while half magazines were likewise available as special-order features.
Serial 267628 is a particularly interesting factory-documented 1903 rifle. Its CFM Record Search confirms shipment on May 29 with a 22" octagon barrel, half magazine, pistol-grip stock, and rubber buttplate, giving it an unusually attractive collection of special-order features. The checked walnut remains in Very Good-plus condition, the action functions correctly, and the .32-40 bore retains defined rifling despite light erosion. At some point after leaving Marlin, the forward portion of its factory octagon barrel was turned round and subsequently reblued, creating the present half-octagon/half-round profile; while this alteration affects factory originality, the rifle retains the documented half magazine, pistol-grip furniture, rubber buttplate, and uncommon 22" barrel length that make its original configuration noteworthy. This remains a handsome and unusually configured Model 1893 with factory documentation behind the features most important to Marlin collectors.
