Author Topic: Model 1893 info (Read 664 times)

HuntAway · « **on:** May 15, 2006, 01:59:58 AM »

A friend of mine has a Model 1893 in 38-55. She would like some info on it. I have tried the arms collector site for dating it but it comes up empty. I suspect it was made after 1906. Here is the info that is on the rifle;

Marlin Safety, Model 1893, Special Smokeless Steel, 38-55

Marlin Firearms New Have, Pat Oct 11 1887, Apr 2 1889, Aug 1 1893

Serial # 4186XX

Any info regarding age, value would be apreciated. It was definately used as a hunting rifle. It appears to be in original condition, with the wear and tear expected of a good deer rifle. It has not / does not appear to have been refinshed.

Thanks,

HuntAway

Leverdude · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:25:26 AM »

Any pictures? Does it read Marlin Firearms Company or Corp.?
I got one recently & paid a bit over $700 for it. Its real hard, or imposible really to put a value on a gun sight unseen.
Mines from 1906, I'll look at the number & see where yours falls in comparison.

HuntAway · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2006, 01:17:01 PM »

Leverdude, I'll get hold of her and see if she doesn't mind me snapping a few pics. At the same time I'll check to see if it's Company or Corp.

Leverdude · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2006, 02:23:08 PM »

Mines starts 291xxx so yours is newer than that.
See if it has the bullseye in the butstock. I think they started doing that after WW1 but I can find out for sure.

They aint the best pictures but this is my barrel.

My reciever top,

& my tang.

HuntAway · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2006, 01:02:24 PM »

Leverdude that is fine looking rifle. I'm afraid the one my friend has is more of a plain jane model.

Here are a few pics I got of it. It has a round barrell. A very fine bead on top of a blade front sight. Rear sight looks like a Buckhorn sight but it is very upright with a very small V in the bottom. I would think that it would be an extremley accurate rifle with that combination. It is marked as the Marlin Firearms Co. New Haven. It does not have a bullseye in the Buttstock. The rifling is in good to very good shape. Very distinct and with no rust or pitting that I could see. I ran a patch through it and there were no snags or catching.

HuntAway · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2006, 03:02:46 PM »

From all of the surfing I've done, I can guess an age of 1906 to WW1 at which point the Marlin Firearms CO was sold. Then becoming Corp??? Anyway, the serial #'s were designated with a letter after that.
I guess this would put it in the 1906-1917 age range. Funny, why did they stop recording their serial numbers after 1906? None-the-less, it is still a nice looking / handling rifle. The action is smooth with no rattles. It shows wear/rub marks on the barrell and the receiver and very little if any rust. I would like to offer her a fair price for it, but I don't care to break the bank either. Any ideas on a fair price?

Thanks,

HuntAway

Leverdude · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:29:35 PM »

My front sight is the same as yours & the rear sounds the same. It should have a small screw on the back side of it on the right I believe so you could change the notch. Prices are tough to gage in any eveny let alone without looking something over. Theres often haggling involved. I offered 6 for mine to start & didn't raise any eyebrows. I might be inclined to start at 5 in your shoes & I'm not sure where I'd draw the line. Once I'm determined to get something I find it hard to back off. :lol:

HuntAway · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2006, 01:45:41 AM »

Thanks for your insight Leverdude,

Me too! Damm the torpedoes and full speed ahead, if it is something I really want. I'm running out of room in my gun safes. I might have to get another safe. Then it would be lonely with only one rifle in it and I would have to get another an so on and so on. :roll:

I'm checking on ammo availability up here in Canada. It isn't a popular round, so there may be some difficulty in getting ammo. I guess that, more than anything, will decide the buy or no buy action.

Leverdude · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2006, 03:25:09 PM »

Ammo availability is basically non existant. If you do find some its likely .375 & your bores likely .379 - .381. I slugged mine & its almost .381. I loaded some .380 bullets & they were keyholeing. I'v got .381 bullets coming but theyre not here yet.

If you ever thought about reloading nows a great time to start. I started several months ago for another rifle I'm putting together in 32/40, its an 1893 as well.

I wouldn't buy it except for collectors value if you dont plan on reloading. The .375 jacketed ammo might shoot ok if you can find it, I havent tried it.

If you want to reload & have questions feel free to ask. I'm no expert but can help you figure whats needed to get up & running. Its easier than you might think!