Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
double action handgun:
5D-019
| 5D-019 | Values—Very Good $200 | Exc. $550 |
Marlin Lever Action Rifles
Marlin Model 1881 Lever Action Rifle
Model 1881 Lever Action Rifle. Made c. 1881 to 1892. Total quantity estimated slightly over 20,000. (Surviving records start with Serial No. 4001.)
Calibers 32-40, 38-55, 40-60, 45-70 (worth premium), and 45-85. Tubular magazine beneath barrel (eight-shot with 24" barrel and in 45-70 and 40-60 calibers). Top ejection. Octagon barrels standard; round barrels scarce and will bring premium value. Buckhorn rear and blade type front sights.
Blued finish with casehardened hammer, lever and buttplate. Varnished walnut stocks.
Markings: First Style, found on early 1881s: J. M. MARLIN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PAT’D. FEB. 7 ’65. JAN. 7 ’73, SEP. 14 ’75. NOV. 19 & 26 ’78. JUNE 3 ’79. DEC. 9 ’79. NOV. 9 ’80(all on one line). Second Style: Identical to First Style, but on two lines. Third Style: Identical to First Style, on two lines with addition at end of words REISSUE NOV. 9, 1880.
Caliber marking on top of barrel at breech.
The first lever action Marlin rifle. The key patents in production and design were by the prolific Andrew Burgess, but John Marlin and others also contributed patent details. It was Marlin who put all the features together into the finished—and highly regarded—firearm. Capable of handling large calibers like the 45-70, the Model 1881 was years ahead of the Model 1886 Winchester, and proved a very popular rifle. A number of optional extras were available, such as set triggers, and will increase values depending on their importance. A feature such as an extra heavy barrel is quite rare and will increase value substantially.
Values shown are for the most commonly encountered barrel lengths and calibers. Prices may be increased according to relative rarity. The following production totals are shown in factory records:
Caliber 32 = 1,785; 38 = 3,563; 40 = 6,261; 45 = 4,769.
Barrel lengths: 20", just four made; 21-1/2", just one made; 22", just two; 24" = 2,788; 26" = 277; 28" = 12,482; 30" = 780; 32" = 42; 34" just three. A total of 13 were also manufactured as original smoothbore shotguns.
Early Model 1881. One-line J. M. MARLIN markings. Serial numbers below 600. 28" or 30" barrels. Calibers 45-70 and 40-60. Made c. 1881 only. Front of receiver has a 3/4" rebate; removable trigger plate:
5D-020
| 5D-020 | Values—Very Good $1,400 | Exc. $3,750 |
Standard Model 1881. Second and Third Style markings. Made c. 1882 to 1892. Serial numbers range from about 600 to 51233 (include also later models). Made in various calibers. Barrels usually 24", 28" or 30"; other lengths made as noted above from 1889. Does not have the rebate at front of receiver or removable type trigger plate:
| 5D-021 | Values—Very Good $1,000 | Exc. $3,000 |
Light Weight Rifle. Made c. 1884 to 1892. Frame is 3/16" thinner than standard models. Made in calibers 32-40 and 38-55 as standard. Width of lever 7/16" (standard model 1/2"). Lighter barrel weight and smaller diameter than standard ( 3/4" at muzzle). 24" and 28" barrels standard with 26" very scarce:
| 5D-022 | Values—Very Good $1,000 | Exc. $3,000 |
Marlin Model 1888 Lever Action Rifle
Model 1888 Lever Action Rifle. Made c. 1888 to 1889. Total quantity estimated 4,814.
Calibers 32-20, 38-40, and 44-40. Tubular magazine beneath barrel (holds 13 rounds with 24" barrel). Octagonal barrels most often encountered. Round barrels available on special order; part octagon/part round barrels, pistol grip stocks also quite scarce and will bring premium. See below.
Top ejection. Buckhorn rear and blade type front sights.
Blued finish with casehardened hammer, lever and buttplate. Plain walnut stocks.
Serial numbered in range 19559 to 27854. Barrel marking: MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CT. U.S.A./PATENTED OCT. 11, 1887. Caliber marking on top of barrel at breech.
Marlin’s second lever action rifle, the Model 1888 featured a short throw mechanism suitable for the shorter length pistol cartridges for which it was chambered. The well known inventor Lewis Hepburn was instrumental in the design of this model. Overall weight was light 6-1/2 to 7 lbs.
Values indicated for calibers and barrel lengths in most common production. Prices may be increased according to relative rarity. The following production totals are shown in factory records:
Calibers 32-30 = 1,298; 38-40 = 1,776; 44-40 = 1,727.
Barrel lengths: 16", just one made; 20" = 25; 22", just one; 24" = 4,312; 26" = 264; 28" = 198; 30", just one; 44", just one.
Octagon barrels = 4,548 made; round barrels = 266; part octagon/part round, just 23 made:
5D-023
| 5D-023 | Values—Very Good $950 | Exc. $3,000 |
Marlin Model 1889 Lever Action Rifle
Model 1889 Lever Action Rifle. Made c. 1889 to 1899. Total of about 55,072.
Calibers 25-20 (very rare); 32-20; 38-40; and 44-40 (worth premium). Tubular magazine beneath barrel (holds 13 rounds with 24" barrel). Octagon or round barrels standard; available in lengths from 24" to 32" (at 2" intervals). Also made in 20" carbine. Buckhorn rear and blade type front sights.
Blued finish with casehardened hammer, lever and buttplate. Plain walnut stocks.
Serial numbered in the range 25000 to 100000; having numbering range overlaps with other models. Barrel marking: MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO., NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A./PATENTED OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL. 2. 1889. Caliber marking on top of barrel at breech. Top of frame marked: MARLIN SAFETY.
This was Marlin’s first lever action having the solid top frame and side ejection; basically the Model 1888 redesigned. It may be quickly identified by its lever latch. The Model 1889 was the true forerunner of modern lever action Marlins, all of which featured the side ejection—Lewis Hepburn was instrumental in its development. A number of optional features were available such as special sights, deluxe stocks, various magazine lengths and barrel shapes, etc.