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. 88383, generally attributed to 1893 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 an exceptionally bright bore.

World-renowned sharpshooters Annie Oakley, a star of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, and Frank C. Miller, crack shot of the Irwin Bros. Cheyenne Frontier Days Wild West Show, often shot with Marlin rifles in their exhibitions.

"I gave as high as 15 exhibitions a day, shooting under all conditions, rain, wind, night, in parades in the streets," Miller said in a 1915 interview. "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 88383, indicating that this rifle was manufactured in 1893. 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. We did note two small screws in threaded holes on the top of the receiver, most likely from some type of long range sight which was later removed. We can see some wear on the top of the barrel in front of the chambering marking, possibly from where the long range sight was fitted. 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 looks to be the usual oil and wax 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 excellent condition, mirror-bright and showing crisp lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear to the lands, showing that it was used a bit but very well cared for. We would rate this bore at a 9.5 out of 10. 

This 1893-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, while the mirror-bright bore with sharply defined rifling is particularly noteworthy. 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. Two threaded holes in the receiver and adjacent barrel wear indicate that an additional sight was previously installed and later removed. 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: 1893
Maker: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model 1889 Repeating Rifle
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.