Mystery Marlin?

dbuffington · March 8, 2014, 03:58 PM

Hi Folks!

I’m a Browning guy, but I’ve stumbled across this beautiful Marlin and would appreciate your help identifying it …

The gun is not marked with a model number, but I think it is a Model 1893. (The last patent date is 1893.) The serial number is 1736. The caliber is 32-20.

It has a case color receiver and 20-inch round barrel. The barrel is not blued (or every bit of the bluing is gone).

It has heavily figured wood. The buttstock is very well fitted with a hard rubber Marlin buttplate and Marlin “bullseye.” The Mannlicher-style forearm matches the buttstock and is also very well fitted.

Any idea what this is?

Thanks!
Dave

P.S. Sorry for the lousy photo. It was taken with a cell phone in a very dark room.

MoGas1341 · March 8, 2014, 04:10 PM

It definitely looks to be a Model 1894. The patent date (like old Winchesters) is before the model date. Like an 1886 Winchester was patented 20 Jan 1885 for instance.

That Mannlicher style stock is throwing me off a bit, as I have never seen one like that.

Could have been of "Custom Shop" deal way back when, kind of like the old made to order Deluxe Models Winchester made.

Very beautiful wood on that piece!

dbuffington · March 8, 2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

It definitely looks to be a Model 1894. The patent date (like old Winchesters) is before the model date. Like an 1886 Winchester was patented 20 Jan 1885 for instance.

Ah, understood. Thanks!

Quote:

That Mannlicher style stock is throwing me off a bit, as I have never seen one like that. Could have been of "Custom Shop" deal way back when, kind of like the old made to order Deluxe Models Winchester made.

It's throwing me off also. I intentionally didn't bring up the issue of whether it was "factory" or not because of the flames those discussions attract.

However, the forearm matches the buttstock and both are perfectly fitted. Plus, the forearm has a screw in the tip that's threaded into a socket on the barrel. That would have been difficult, but not impossible, for a third party to accomplish.

Quote:

Very beautiful wood on that piece!

The photo does it no justice at all ... and neither does the fact that the poor thing hasn't had any TLC in decades. An evening spent rubbing it with rejuvenating oil should do wonders.

Thanks!
Dave

PetahW · March 8, 2014, 08:15 PM

.

The model is stamped into the top tang, under that tang peep sight base.

Since it's chambered in .32-20, a short/pistol cartridge, it would have to be a Model 1894/94.

Temporarily remove the tang sight, and please let us know............

.

dbuffington · March 8, 2014, 08:49 PM

Alas, I'd like to, but the gun is at a dealer 200 miles away.

JT-AR-MG42 · March 8, 2014, 08:50 PM

The model number is directly under the tang sight.

It is indeed interesting and well done. I'm sure not up on the Marlin mess of serial numbering enough to figure this one out as far as dating it.

From the front sight, it looks to be a carbine barrel rather than a short rifle one.
That would make me curious to 'look under the hood' and see whether the magazine tube is attached in Marlin rifle fashion or not.

Are the lever, trigger, and bolt in the white also? The photo gives those parts a satin look.
And what sort of rear sight is that?

Maybe head back over with a camera if you get a hankerin' for it.

JT

MarkDozier · March 9, 2014, 01:51 AM

marlincollectors.com they can answer your questions.

Old Stony · March 9, 2014, 07:21 AM

I'm no expert at Marlins, but I'd say it's an 1894. I've got one around here myself, but in 25/20. Considering the finish inconsistencies, and what appears to be sharp checkering on the buttstock, I would have to lean towards someone's custom job. Checkering on the buttstock and not matching checkering on the forearm seems strange to me also, but it's hard to tell from you pic how much wear there is on it. Wear should be consistent over the firearm as far as I can see.

dbuffington · March 9, 2014, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Checkering on the buttstock and not matching checkering on the forearm seems strange to me also, but it's hard to tell from you pic how much wear there is on it. Wear should be consistent over the firearm as far as I can see.

The wear is consistent, but you make a good point about the checkering ... There is good sharp checkering on the stock, and absolutely no indication of any checkering on the forearm. Yet, the wood is a perfect match.

Yup. I'm confused too.

RJay · March 9, 2014, 06:28 PM

I believe it is a one of a kind, gun smith custom. I don't believe the Marlin factory made any such animal.

Jim Watson · March 9, 2014, 08:56 PM

It looks like a custom project that never got finished.
To be right, the foreend should be slimmed down as much as the magazine tube allowed and checkered to match the butt. Metal should be blued the same overall. I'd want better sights, too.
Kind of like a hot rod that never seems to get beyond the gray primer.

James K · March 10, 2014, 09:12 PM

It looks like the buttstock may be factory, with a nice piece of wood, good checkering, and a nice finish. But the foreend is plain, with no checkering and obviously inferior wood.

So either someone broke/lost the foreend and had it replaced with the full length type he preferred, or he tossed a beautiful foreend in order to get what he wanted (ugh!).

Jim

gyvel · March 12, 2014, 01:59 PM

As butt ugly as it is, I guess, in a practical sense, it would afford some protection the magazine tube.

**4V50 Gary** · March 15, 2014, 08:58 AM

Customized gun with color case hardened frame, tang rear sight and higher grade wood including a mannlicher forearm.

March 8, 2014, 03:58 PM	#1
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Mystery Marlin? Hi Folks! I’m a Browning guy, but I’ve stumbled across this beautiful Marlin and would appreciate your help identifying it … The gun is not marked with a model number, but I think it is a Model 1893. (The last patent date is 1893.) The serial number is 1736. The caliber is 32-20. It has a case color receiver and 20-inch round barrel. The barrel is not blued (or every bit of the bluing is gone). It has heavily figured wood. The buttstock is very well fitted with a hard rubber Marlin buttplate and Marlin “bullseye.” The Mannlicher-style forearm matches the buttstock and is also very well fitted. Any idea what this is? Thanks! Dave P.S. Sorry for the lousy photo. It was taken with a cell phone in a very dark room. Last edited by dbuffington; March 8, 2014 at 04:03 PM.

March 8, 2014, 04:10 PM	#2
MoGas1341 Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 201	It definitely looks to be a Model 1894. The patent date (like old Winchesters) is before the model date. Like an 1886 Winchester was patented 20 Jan 1885 for instance. That Mannlicher style stock is throwing me off a bit, as I have never seen one like that. Could have been of "Custom Shop" deal way back when, kind of like the old made to order Deluxe Models Winchester made. Very beautiful wood on that piece! __________________ Former USMC Engineer, Iraq War Vet, Afghanistan War Vet, NRA Life Member Last edited by MoGas1341; March 8, 2014 at 04:12 PM. Reason: misspelling

March 9, 2014, 06:28 PM	#10
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	I believe it is a one of a kind, gun smith custom. I don't believe the Marlin factory made any such animal. __________________ Ron James

March 15, 2014, 08:58 AM	#14
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Customized gun with color case hardened frame, tang rear sight and higher grade wood including a mannlicher forearm. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 8, 2014, 08:15 PM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. The model is stamped into the top tang, under that tang peep sight base. Since it's chambered in .32-20, a short/pistol cartridge, it would have to be a Model 1894/94. Temporarily remove the tang sight, and please let us know............ .

March 8, 2014, 08:49 PM	#5
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Alas, I'd like to, but the gun is at a dealer 200 miles away.

March 8, 2014, 08:50 PM	#6
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 555	The model number is directly under the tang sight. It is indeed interesting and well done. I'm sure not up on the Marlin mess of serial numbering enough to figure this one out as far as dating it. From the front sight, it looks to be a carbine barrel rather than a short rifle one. That would make me curious to 'look under the hood' and see whether the magazine tube is attached in Marlin rifle fashion or not. Are the lever, trigger, and bolt in the white also? The photo gives those parts a satin look. And what sort of rear sight is that? Maybe head back over with a camera if you get a hankerin' for it. JT

March 9, 2014, 01:51 AM	#7
MarkDozier Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Posts: 363	marlincollectors.com they can answer your questions.

March 9, 2014, 07:21 AM	#8
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	I'm no expert at Marlins, but I'd say it's an 1894. I've got one around here myself, but in 25/20. Considering the finish inconsistencies, and what appears to be sharp checkering on the buttstock, I would have to lean towards someone's custom job. Checkering on the buttstock and not matching checkering on the forearm seems strange to me also, but it's hard to tell from you pic how much wear there is on it. Wear should be consistent over the firearm as far as I can see.

March 9, 2014, 08:56 PM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	It looks like a custom project that never got finished. To be right, the foreend should be slimmed down as much as the magazine tube allowed and checkered to match the butt. Metal should be blued the same overall. I'd want better sights, too. Kind of like a hot rod that never seems to get beyond the gray primer.

March 10, 2014, 09:12 PM	#12
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It looks like the buttstock may be factory, with a nice piece of wood, good checkering, and a nice finish. But the foreend is plain, with no checkering and obviously inferior wood. So either someone broke/lost the foreend and had it replaced with the full length type he preferred, or he tossed a beautiful foreend in order to get what he wanted (ugh!). Jim

March 12, 2014, 01:59 PM	#13
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	As butt ugly as it is, I guess, in a practical sense, it would afford some protection the magazine tube.