Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Marlin Model 1889 “New Safety” lever-action rifle in .32-20 W.C.F., Serial No. 64790, generally attributed to 1892 production. It features a 24-inch round barrel, full-length magazine, solid-top side-ejecting receiver, and standard sporting sights. The rifle retains portions of its original blue finish, solid walnut stocks, a smooth and tight action, and very good bore.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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.”

Among the several Marlin firearms Oakley owned, she particularly cherished a special presentation, engraved "New Safety" model.

The '89 "New Safety" Marlin was the company's first solid-top receiver, lever action rifle with a side ejection that threw the fired cases, or live cartridges, to the right-hand side of the rifle as opposed to being thrown straight up and out of the gun. There were several "Models" of the New Safety introduced subsequently, which differed in frame size and chambering, and the line was extremely popular.

This classic '89 rifle example is in Winchester .32-20 caliber (marked 32-W over the Chamber), with a 24" round barrel and full length magazine tube. This is a somewhat uncommon chambering, as only 15,441 were made in this caliber. The top of the barrel engraving is clear:

The top of the receiver is marked ⇝ MARLIN SAFETY ⇜ and the bottom front bears serial number 64790, indicating that this rifle was manufactured in 1892. The "New Safety" 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. And of course the basis of the "Safety" name came from the ejection port on the right side, not on the top, which meant things like gas escape, ruptured primers, and even ejected hot cartridges would no longer endanger the face of the shooter.

The receiver still retains some of the original bluing on the more protected areas, with the balance faded to a plum gray patina. The barrel retains more of the original finish, with some wear on the sides from handling.The barrel currently has a large nickel blade front sight, and iconic "Buckhorn" rear adjustable sight. The wood stocks are in very good shape, with the beautiful red-brown color of aged and oiled walnut. The finish to be the standard varnish used during the period, and aside from minor handling marks such as scratches and small dents, there are no major condition issues such as cracks or repairs.

The rifle cycles well, with a tight action, no sticking, and a crisp dry fire. We did not check it for the ability to feed or eject any type of cartridges. The bore on this rifle is in very good condition, showing clear lands and grooves with a partly bright finish. There is some wear to the lands and grooves, as well as signs of past fouling and oxidation, expected on the bore of a black powder firearm. We would rate it about an 8 out of 10.

This 1892-attributed Marlin Model 1889 “New Safety” rifle retains its 24-inch round barrel, full-length magazine, .32-20 chambering, Marlin Safety receiver marking, and period-style sporting sights. The action cycles smoothly, locks tightly, and dry-fires correctly. Portions of the original blue finish remain on the barrel and protected areas of the receiver, with the balance aged to a plum-gray patina, and the walnut stocks remain solid with only scattered handling marks. Although feeding and extraction were not tested, the rifle remains a well-preserved example of Marlin’s early solid-top, side-ejecting lever-action design.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1892
Maker: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model 1889 Repeating Rifle
Serial No.: 64790
Caliber: .32-20 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 24 Inches
Overall Length: 41 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.