Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Marlin Model 1893 “New Safety” lever action rifle chambered in .38-55 W.C.F., Serial No. 185412, generally attributed to 1898 production. It has the classic appearance collectors associate with early Marlin sporting rifles, including a 26 inch round barrel, full length magazine tube, solid top side ejecting receiver, adjustable Buckhorn rear sight, and bar style front sight. The rifle displays an attractive dark plum patina, well preserved walnut stocks, and a smooth, tight action.

The .38-55 Winchester and Ballard cartridge was one of the most respected American sporting cartridges of the late 19th century. Originally developed as a black powder target and hunting round, it earned an excellent reputation for accuracy and effectiveness on medium game. Its popularity made it a natural chambering for Marlin’s strong, solid top lever action design.

The barrel is marked over the chamber: 38-55

The top of the barrel retains the following address and patent marking, which remains mostly legible:

⇝ MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW-HAVEN.CT. U.S.A. ⇜
PATENTED OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL. 2. 1889. AUG. 1. 1893.

The top of the receiver is faintly marked:

⇝ MARLIN SAFETY ⇜

The receiver tang is correctly marked:

MODEL 1893

The bottom front of the receiver bears the serial number:

185412

This serial number is generally attributed to production in 1898.

The left side of the barrel is marked:

SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL

This marking is associated with barrels manufactured during the period when smokeless powder cartridges were becoming increasingly common. Although the .38-55 originated as a black powder cartridge, Marlin offered rifles with Special Smokeless Steel barrels for shooters who wished to use the newer ammunition then entering the market.

The Model 1893 developed from Marlin’s earlier “New Safety” lever action designs. The Model 1889 introduced the solid top receiver and right side ejection system that became a defining Marlin feature. Unlike traditional top ejecting lever actions, the Marlin design directed fired cases and live cartridges away from the shooter’s face and allowed the receiver top to remain enclosed.

The “New Safety” improvements included a locking lug and firing pin system intended to prevent discharge until the bolt was fully locked. The design also incorporated an automatic cartridge carrier that closed off the end of the magazine after the cartridge head entered the carrier, helping prevent the next cartridge from feeding prematurely and jamming the action.

The right side ejection system was another important safety and practical improvement. Gas, ruptured primers, debris, and hot cartridge cases were directed away from the shooter’s face rather than upward through an open receiver. This solid top arrangement also contributed to the strength and weather resistance for which Marlin lever actions became well known.

The barrel is fitted with a bar shaped front sight and an adjustable Buckhorn rear sight. Both give the rifle the traditional sporting configuration expected on a late 19th century Marlin.

The metalwork displays a pleasing dark plum patina overall, the result of the original blue finish aging and fading over more than a century. The barrel and receiver markings are somewhat faint, which may indicate that the rifle received a period refinish, although we were unable to confirm this. Scattered staining and handling wear are present throughout and contribute to the rifle’s well established antique appearance.

The walnut forearm and buttstock remain in very good condition and display an attractive red brown color associated with aged and regularly oiled walnut. The finish appears consistent with the oil and wax treatments commonly used during the period. There are scattered scratches, dents, and handling marks, but no major cracks or repairs were observed. The left side of the buttstock is noticeably darker toward the buttplate.

The action cycles smoothly and remains tight, without sticking. The hammer releases with a crisp dry fire. We did not test the rifle with cartridges and cannot confirm its ability to feed, extract, or eject ammunition.

The bore is somewhat dark and exhibits overall oxidation and evidence of past fouling. Examination with an LED bore light showed that the rifling remains strong and clearly visible despite the dark interior.

Marlin rifles became closely associated with American exhibition shooting and Western sporting culture. World renowned sharpshooter Annie Oakley, a star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, used Marlin rifles during portions of her career. Frank C. Miller, a noted exhibition shooter with the Irwin Brothers Cheyenne Frontier Days Wild West Show, was also an enthusiastic Marlin user.

In a 1915 interview, Miller described the extensive use he gave his Marlin firearms during demonstrations and hunting trips:

“I gave as high as 15 exhibitions a day, shooting under all conditions, rain, wind, night, in parades in the streets. And late last fall, I used some of the guns on a hunting trip to Canada and Wyoming. From all this, you can see what opinion I have of Marlin guns.”

With its desirable .38-55 W.C.F. chambering, 26 inch round barrel, full length magazine, Model 1893 tang marking, surviving MARLIN SAFETY and barrel inscriptions, strong rifling, well preserved walnut stocks, and smooth, tight action, this rifle has excellent collector appeal. Its plum patina, faint markings, dark bore, and possible period refinish are honestly disclosed, while its classic solid top, side ejecting configuration gives it unmistakable early Marlin character. It would display particularly well in an antique American firearms, early Marlin, Old West, sporting rifle, or classic lever action collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1898
Maker: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model 1893 Repeating Rifle
Caliber: .38-55 Winchester / Ballard
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 26 Inches
Overall Length: 44 3/8 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: Tube magazine
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

Dubbed as the New Safety Repeating Rifle, the 1889 Marlin was a mid-sized, redesigned 1888 model. The most noticeable difference was the solid top with its side-ejection system. Internal upgrades included a locking lug and firing pin system that prevented discharge until the bolt was locked in place. The new model also utilized a cartridge carrier that raised automatically, closing the end of the magazine after the head of the cartridge had passed into the carrier, thus preventing the next cartridge from entering the carrier and jamming the action: an important feature, since the rifle was produced in the .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40 chamberings (only 34 made with .25-20).

The similarity between the .38-40 and the .44-40 cartridges sometimes caused confusion for shooters. If a shooter accidentally loaded a .44-40 into a .38-40, the lever would not close properly. With the '89 Marlin, he simply had to lever downward, as if the .44-40 was an empty shell, and the oversized cartridge would be thrown to the side.

Standard '89 Marlin rifles included a 24-inch octagonal or round barrel, although barrels could be ordered in intervals of two inches up to 32 inches. The 1889 was Marlin's first carbine. Standard carbines had 20-inch tubes, while around 300-plus were made with a 15-inch version, and just four were turned out with 24-inch barrels.

Rifles were fitted with "Rocky Mountain" sights made up of a German silver blade front sight and a semi-buckhorn-type rear sight, which could be elevated by a stepped elevator. The stock was straight-grained walnut with a steel-capped forearm and a crescent-style steel butt plate (carbines wore a carbine-style butt plate). Barrels and all hardware were blued, while the hammer, lever and butt plate wore the colorful Marlin case-hardening. The model also came as a short rifle, takedown model and musket.

Although somewhat revolutionary in the firearms world, the '89 still had minor drawbacks that would be eliminated from Marlin's subsequent models. The manufacturer removed the rear-locking lug, which extended down into the trigger guard and had a tendency to pinch the shooter's fingers during rapid-fire cycling. It also did away with the small spring-loaded retainer at the rear of the lower tang that held the lever in place when closed, which shooters disliked.

Nevertheless, the 1889 Marlin was well received on the frontier and nationwide. More than 55,000 guns left the factory between 1889 and 1903. In its day, the model was considered state-of-the-art. Now, 125 years later, the 1889 Marlin is an extremely collectible firearm.

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.