Make: Marlin
Model: 1893
Serial Number: 257418
Year of Manufacture: 1902 / C&R
Caliber: .32-40
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beach combination sight which has a hooded beaded post and a folding white bead, dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch elevator sight, dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Marble tang sight installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped forend, pistol grip with characteristic “S”-shaped bottom, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered minor nicks and scratches. There are some grain lines starting to open up at the rear edge of the tangs. There is a small crack on the bottom left side of the grip that starts near the end of the lower tang and reaches slightly into the checkering. The checkering shows handling wear, but is generally well defined. There is a short scrape on the left side of the forend. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has mostly muted with some minor surface oxidation. The stocks rate in Very Good-plus overall condition. The number inside the upper tang recess matches the receiver.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at the edges. There is infrequent wear and a few minor nicks and scratches. The receiver has some muting toward the bottom-front but retains generally strong case color. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Fine 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 comes with a CFM Records Search confirming this rifle's pistol grip stock, 26" octagon barrel, 32-40 chambering, shipped on September 25, 1912.
Our Assessment: Hot piece alert! 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. In 1895, Marlin began chambering its Model 1893 for smokeless powder cartridges, but this one is chambered for the older .32-40 cartridge. Manufactured in 1902, this example is in Fine condition, retaining a lot of strong case color which is fairly scarce for a rifle of this age. Lots of original finish, a strong bore, matching stocks, and good mechanics, what else could you ask for? This is a beautiful old Marlin that is sure to take a special place in your collection.
