Marlin 1893 M1893 Model, Blue & Case Colored Round 26” Lever Action Tube Magazine Fed Rifle, MFD 1899 C&R
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LSB#: 160926GS29
Make: Marlin
Model: 1893 Rifle
Serial Number: 186118
Year of Manufacture: 1899 (http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php)
Caliber: .38-55 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle With Full Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO., NEW HAVEN CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D OCT.11.1887. APRIL.2.1889. AUG.1.1893.” and at the receiver with “38-55”. The left side of the barrel is marked “SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL”. The top of the receiver is marked “MARLIN SAFETY” and the upper tang is marked “MODEL / 1893”. The underside of the trigger plate is marked “186118”. The left side of the upper tang and the top of the wrist under the upper tang are marked “186118”.
Barrel Length: The round barrel is 26” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a folding globe that is dovetailed into the barrel. The sight, which we believe to be a Lyman No. 5 Combination sight is marked on the top of the globe with “LYMAN REG. U.S. PAT. OFF”. When the hood is folded up, a ball and pin is presented, and when folded down, a short, thin post is presented that has a small piece of bone at its base. There is a “U” notched semi-buckhorn rear sight dovetailed into the barrel and the upper tang is drilled, tapped and filled for an aperture sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are smooth walnut with a straight grip, blued forend nosecap and a blued steel crescent shaped buttplate. The stocks have a lacquered finish and show oil staining around the metal parts and in the old bruises. The wood to metal fit is excellent and the wood finish appears to be original. There is a groove cut into the center of the underside of the forend at the receiver and a hairline crack at the right rear of the upper tang. There are several dings and bruises in the stocks, most of which are dark with oil staining, but there are several on the left side of the forend that are fresh, along with a long drag line down the right side of buttstock. The LOP measures 13 ¼” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows light wear at the heel and toe and a few dings in its center, but all is covered with a dark patina. The buttplate is in about Very Good condition. The stocks rate in about Good to Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel, magazine tube, loading gate and hammer are blued and the receiver is case colored.
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, turning slightly gray at the muzzle. The rifling is sharp. There are a few spots of extremely light erosion near the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The magazine tube and forend nosecap show surface loss and are covered with a plum colored patina. The barrel appears to have retained most of its finish, but has developed a dark patina. There are a few dings and tiny spots of solid erosion scattered over the magazine tube and the front part of the barrel, with a few tiny spots of pinprick surface erosion in the top of the barrel behind the rear sight. A dark patina has formed over most of the receiver, with a plum colored patina over the lever, which has no finish remaining. There are several tiny dings and tiny spots of pinprick surface erosion on the left side of the receiver, There are two shallow dings in the top left edge of the receiver and a few tiny spots of solid erosion in the top of the receiver. The lever shows a few dings in its bottom surface and several tiny nicks in its edges. The hammer checkering shows light wear. The screw heads are mostly disfigured and the markings are clear but shallow in spots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly although we have not test fired this rifle. The hammer has a half-cock safety position and the trigger breaks crisply. The hammer sear is slightly worn, and drags slightly on the underside of the bolt when the action is closed. The lever locks-up solidly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: Marlin’s Model 1893 rifle was actually the precursor to the Model 36 and eventually the Marlin Model 336. Few guns have ever been produced and used as widely as the 336 and this is where it all started. In 1905, the model designation changed from Model 1893 to Model 93, but with no design change to the action. Production of the Model 93 finally ceased in 1936. The .38-55 Win. cartridge was designed by Charles Ballard and was first used in 1876 in the Marlin Ballard rifles. The cartridge was renowned for its exceptional accuracy at ranges up to 330 yards. This rifle is in about Very Good to Fine condition with about 50% of its patina’d finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and only a few tiny spots of light erosion near the muzzle. The buttstock is serial numbered to the trigger plate and the upper tang. With its original metal and wood finishes, and its relatively early date of manufacture, this rifle is very collectable. The rare Lyman No. 5 front sight and somewhat rare .38-55 chambering just adds icing to the cake for the serious investor. This rifle will look great sitting next to its M1881, 1888, 1889, 1894 and 1895 cousins.
