Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice No. 32 Standard 1875 2nd Variation revolver in .32 Rimfire, one of the revolvers designed by J.M. Marlin at the beginnings of the Marlin Firearms Company, before it was officially incorporated in 1881. The expiration of the Rollin White patent on bored-through cylinders meant that the design could now be utilized by all manufactures, and the entire industry was quick to roll out their own rimfire and centerfire cartridge revolvers. Marlin first introduced the XXX Standard 1872 revolver in .30 rimfire, which was a reference to the .30 chambering. They then released the No. 32 Standard 1875, in the slightly larger .32 rimfire.

The No. 32 was originally designed with a cylinder for .32 rimfire "short", which is the "First Variation". This however was relatively quickly replaced with the "2nd Variation", which had a longer cylinder able to accept both "long" and "short" .32 Rimfire. Both variations were reminiscent of early Smith & Wesson designs, featuring a tip up barrel, spur trigger, and "Bird's Head" grip. Total production for both was about 20,000 from the period 1875 to 1887.

This revolver is an example of the 2nd Variation of the No.32 Standard 1875, and has the correct longer fluted cylinder. The revolver bears serial number 6373 on the grip frame under the grips, the rear of the barrel, and on the rear of the cylinder, which makes this a desirable "ALL MATCHING" example, with no parts swapped out. It has a great worn look and patina that are simply impossible to duplicate.

The barrel rib still shows the model designation correctly:

No32 STANDARD 1875

The left side of the barrel is marked with the correct Marlin patent information, which is slightly worn away:

J.M. MARLIN - NEW HAVEN CT. U.S.A. PAT. JULY 1 1873

The brass frame of this revolver was originally nickel plated, however now there are only remnants visible, with the rest faded to a yellow "mustard" patina. The grip scales are in very nice shape, without any major chips or cracks, but they do show age, with the varnish having checked and degraded, particularly on the left side. The barrel and hammer, originally blued, have now lost that finish, and show a worn polished steel patina.

The revolver cycles well, with good indexing, however the cylinder lock is definitely worn, so it does not securely hold the cylinder anymore. The revolver breaks open correctly for cleaning and reloading. We checked the bore, and it still shows some rifling, but it is quite worn, so this revolver looks to have seen quite a bit of use.

A very nice example of an early production Marlin revolver, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: 1875 to 1887
Caliber: .32cal (long or short)
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 7 1/8 inches
Action: Single Action 
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

John Mahlon Marlin was born on May 6, 1836 near Windsor Locks, Connecticut. At the age of 18, he became an apprentice machinist with the American Machine Works. He later served as a machinist with Colt Patent Firearms of Hartford. In 1863, he started his own pistol manufacturing business in New Haven, concentrating on production of a small single-shot .22 caliber deringer.

Marlin expanded his efforts to include revolver in 1870, after the expiration of Rollin White's cylinder patents. The Marlin story later became intertwined with the Ballard breechloading rifle. These single-shot arms were invented by Charles H. Ballard of Worcester, Massachusetts, who received his original patent in 1861. Approximately 24,000 sporting and military rifles, carbines, and shotguns were manufactured between 1862 and 1873; Civil War sales account for half of this total. Five different New England companies produced various Ballard designs, with the New York firm of Merwin & Bray acting as sales agents throughout Ballard's brief history.

Economic depression came to the United States in 1873, and diminishing sales forced Ballard into bankruptcy. All patent rights, equipment, parts inventories, and properties were purchased by New York arms dealers Schoverling and Daly, who handled sales and distribution of Ballard rifles after reaching an agreement with John Marlin to continue production. This partnership would prove to be highly successful for all parties involved.

In 1881, the Marlin Firearms Company was incorporated, and production of Ballard rifles continuing under the Marlin banner until they were eventually discontinued circa 1891 due to the rising popularity of repeating rifles. Marlin-Ballard rifles were and are well-known for their accuracy and workmanship, and fancy-grade long-range rifles are eagerly sought after by modern collectors. Marlin continued to expand his product line, introducing his Model 1881 lever-action tubular magazine repeating rifle in that year. Many key features had been patented by Andrew Burgess and others, but John Marlin incorporated these into a single functional firearm. This rifle was available in a variety of calibers ranging from .32-40 to 45-70 Government, a feature that would not be duplicated by competing Winchesters for several more years.

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