1895 Winchester vs 1893 Marlin

1972 · September 27, 2009, 12:26 PM

I have a question for those of you who are right up on “what’s what” with regards to the popularity and (approximate) value of old lever action rifles from the Cowboy Era.

I have the option of getting one of the following. Both are completely original, both are in what I would class as “good” condition, and both are in .38-55 caliber.

One is a Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action. I checked the Winchester site and from the serial number I believe this one was made in abut 1916.

The other is a Marlin Model 1893 Lever Action. I can’t find a site that actually gives dates for serial numbers, but based on the serial numbers on other guns I’ve been told about I believe this one was likely made in about 1895 or 1896.

Obviously this is all speculation as I don’t have pictures to show, but assuming both are in perfect mechanical order, and both are in “good” condition (metal and wood), would anybody like to hazard even a ballpark guess as to what each might be worth?

Also, which of the two would be more “desirable” with regards to the Cowboy Action type shooting? The Winchester has the more famous name, but the Marlin is older and was made pre 1900.

At the present time I’m leaning towards trying to make a deal for the Marlin, although I don’t have a clue what to offer.

I’d appreciate any thoughts or opinions.

Hawg · September 27, 2009, 04:28 PM

Winchesters will always be worth more than Marlins. 38-55 is a legal caliber for long range matches only.

CraigC · September 27, 2009, 05:17 PM

It really depends as these are two very different rifles. The 1895 being the famous rifle that Theodore Roosevelt used in .405 on his big African safari. What he called his "big medicine" for lions. They are also typically more collectible and values run all over the place. You can usually find nice Marlin 1893's for under $1200 but if you want a Winchester 1895 for that much you're stuck with modern reproductions. None of its chamberings would be friendly to steel targets typically used in CAS.

mavracer · September 27, 2009, 05:37 PM

I belive that the 1895 Winchesters box magazine would disqualify it for even the long range portion of CAS.
But are you sure it is a 1895 I didn't think Winchester chambered the '95 in 38/55

Hawg · September 27, 2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

I belive that the 1895 Winchesters box magazine would disqualify it for even the long range portion of CAS.
But are you sure it is a 1895 I didn't think Winchester chambered the '95 in 38/55

You're right on both counts. it's not legal with the box magazine and available calibers were .30-40 Krag, .38-72 Winchester, .40-72 Winchester, .303 British, .35 Winchester, .405 Government, 7.62 Russian, .30-03, and .30-06.

1972 · September 27, 2009, 07:22 PM

SORRY!!!!!

I was asleep when I posted this thread Gentlemen. It is NOT an 1895. The Winchester is an 1894. On the tang it says, “Model 1894 – WINCHESTER – Trade Mark Reg US Pat Off & FGN”

On the barrel it is stamped “Manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, New Haven Conn, USA Patented August 21, 1894”.

It has a TUBULAR magazine. The barrel is hexagon and the magazine is round (tubular). It is in .38-55 caliber.

It is lever action and has a steel nose piece on the wooden forearm.

The wood is good and the metal has most of it’s original coloring. The only fault with it is that some dumb SOB has used a small punch and put “dots” in the shape of the letter “R” on the side of the receiver. It’s not deep or big, and could likely be polished out.

Sorry about the misunderstanding.

So ….. NOW can anybody give me an idea of what this might be worth? What should I offer for it that would be a fair price?

1972 · September 28, 2009, 08:30 AM

Anybody ..........??

arcticap · September 28, 2009, 02:33 PM

If possible, visit the gun auction website Gunbroker.com and search some of the ongoing auctions for the same or similar model.
If a registered member, it's also possible to search all completed auctions during the last 90 days to see what an item sold for.
I searched current auctions for Winchester 1894 and sifted through them for the .38-55's and skipped several.
I didn't look at any completed auctions to see the actual selling prices for those recently sold.

There's a mint 1894 .38-55 on there now for $2500 or $2700 buy it now:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141372556

Another with tang sight and 85% blue is listed on reserve with an opening bid of $1400:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141436543

Another is buy it now for $1750:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140900401

Another is listed with no reserve at $1499:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140939281

Another minty one is listed at $2900:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140940117

Another is fair, working cond. with a round barrel for $1350, or $1400 buy it now:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141003846

Another round barrel is $2400:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141028059

Another 20 inch carbine for $1099:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141142680

Another 26" octagon is $1100 - $1200 buy it now:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141184405

Another is exceptional with Lyman sight for $3300:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141363673

Another 20" carbine is $1495:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140710134

Another 26" octagon for $1295:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140710239

Another 26" octagon on reserve starting at $1250 with $1475 buy it now:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141483761

Another is special order with 20" octagon at $3300:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141553468

Another 26" round with Lyman peep for $1495:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141393910

CraigC · September 28, 2009, 05:16 PM

Difficult to say without seeing it but generally speaking, if it's in good, original condition with the original coloring still evident, somewhere between $1200 and $1500. The .38-55 generally goes for more than the .30WCF. Slight premium for the octagon barrel as well. The owner-added lettering may detract a little from those numbers, depending on how bad it looks. If it's been refinished, probably not more than $800. I bought a very similar 1901v. 1894 a couple years ago in .30WCF, original condition with traces of the case colors and fair original bluing, only it had been cut to 20" and it was only $500.

1972 · September 28, 2009, 09:09 PM

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help and the trouble you went to. I'll research those sites mentioned, and sort of average everything I've been told out/

Thanks again.

Ralph Allen · October 8, 2009, 08:54 PM

Here is a web site that will give you the date of manufacture on the Marlin. www.savage99.com/dates.htm
Ralph

September 27, 2009, 12:26 PM	#1
1972 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Posts: 12	1895 Winchester vs 1893 Marlin I have a question for those of you who are right up on “what’s what” with regards to the popularity and (approximate) value of old lever action rifles from the Cowboy Era. I have the option of getting one of the following. Both are completely original, both are in what I would class as “good” condition, and both are in .38-55 caliber. One is a Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action. I checked the Winchester site and from the serial number I believe this one was made in abut 1916. The other is a Marlin Model 1893 Lever Action. I can’t find a site that actually gives dates for serial numbers, but based on the serial numbers on other guns I’ve been told about I believe this one was likely made in about 1895 or 1896. Obviously this is all speculation as I don’t have pictures to show, but assuming both are in perfect mechanical order, and both are in “good” condition (metal and wood), would anybody like to hazard even a ballpark guess as to what each might be worth? Also, which of the two would be more “desirable” with regards to the Cowboy Action type shooting? The Winchester has the more famous name, but the Marlin is older and was made pre 1900. At the present time I’m leaning towards trying to make a deal for the Marlin, although I don’t have a clue what to offer. I’d appreciate any thoughts or opinions. Last edited by 1972; September 27, 2009 at 08:35 PM.

September 28, 2009, 02:33 PM	#8
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	If possible, visit the gun auction website Gunbroker.com and search some of the ongoing auctions for the same or similar model. If a registered member, it's also possible to search all completed auctions during the last 90 days to see what an item sold for. I searched current auctions for Winchester 1894 and sifted through them for the .38-55's and skipped several. I didn't look at any completed auctions to see the actual selling prices for those recently sold. There's a mint 1894 .38-55 on there now for $2500 or $2700 buy it now: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141372556 Another with tang sight and 85% blue is listed on reserve with an opening bid of $1400: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141436543 Another is buy it now for $1750: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140900401 Another is listed with no reserve at $1499: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140939281 Another minty one is listed at $2900: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140940117 Another is fair, working cond. with a round barrel for $1350, or $1400 buy it now: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141003846 Another round barrel is $2400: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141028059 Another 20 inch carbine for $1099: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141142680 Another 26" octagon is $1100 - $1200 buy it now: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141184405 Another is exceptional with Lyman sight for $3300: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141363673 Another 20" carbine is $1495: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140710134 Another 26" octagon for $1295: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=140710239 Another 26" octagon on reserve starting at $1250 with $1475 buy it now: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141483761 Another is special order with 20" octagon at $3300: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141553468 Another 26" round with Lyman peep for $1495: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=141393910 Last edited by arcticap; September 28, 2009 at 10:55 PM.

September 27, 2009, 04:28 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,194	Winchesters will always be worth more than Marlins. 38-55 is a legal caliber for long range matches only.

September 27, 2009, 05:17 PM	#3
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	It really depends as these are two very different rifles. The 1895 being the famous rifle that Theodore Roosevelt used in .405 on his big African safari. What he called his "big medicine" for lions. They are also typically more collectible and values run all over the place. You can usually find nice Marlin 1893's for under $1200 but if you want a Winchester 1895 for that much you're stuck with modern reproductions. None of its chamberings would be friendly to steel targets typically used in CAS.

September 27, 2009, 07:22 PM	#6
1972 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Posts: 12	SORRY!!!!! I was asleep when I posted this thread Gentlemen. It is NOT an 1895. The Winchester is an 1894. On the tang it says, “Model 1894 – WINCHESTER – Trade Mark Reg US Pat Off & FGN” On the barrel it is stamped “Manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, New Haven Conn, USA Patented August 21, 1894”. It has a TUBULAR magazine. The barrel is hexagon and the magazine is round (tubular). It is in .38-55 caliber. It is lever action and has a steel nose piece on the wooden forearm. The wood is good and the metal has most of it’s original coloring. The only fault with it is that some dumb SOB has used a small punch and put “dots” in the shape of the letter “R” on the side of the receiver. It’s not deep or big, and could likely be polished out. Sorry about the misunderstanding. So ….. NOW can anybody give me an idea of what this might be worth? What should I offer for it that would be a fair price?

September 28, 2009, 08:30 AM	#7
1972 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Posts: 12	Anybody ..........??

September 28, 2009, 05:16 PM	#9
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	Difficult to say without seeing it but generally speaking, if it's in good, original condition with the original coloring still evident, somewhere between $1200 and $1500. The .38-55 generally goes for more than the .30WCF. Slight premium for the octagon barrel as well. The owner-added lettering may detract a little from those numbers, depending on how bad it looks. If it's been refinished, probably not more than $800. I bought a very similar 1901v. 1894 a couple years ago in .30WCF, original condition with traces of the case colors and fair original bluing, only it had been cut to 20" and it was only $500.

September 28, 2009, 09:09 PM	#10
1972 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Posts: 12	Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help and the trouble you went to. I'll research those sites mentioned, and sort of average everything I've been told out/ Thanks again.

October 8, 2009, 08:54 PM	#11
Ralph Allen Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2007 Posts: 436	Here is a web site that will give you the date of manufacture on the Marlin. www.savage99.com/dates.htm Ralph