Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
Casehardened receiver, hammer, lever and buttplate; blued barrel and magazine tube. Varnished walnut stocks.
Serial numbered generally in the range 81393 to 355504 (through 1906), but a few appear in higher series and also observed in individual series with letter prefixes; overlaps various other models.
Barrel markings: MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A./PATENTED. OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL 2. 1889. AUG. 1. 1893. After 1919 marking of THE MARLIN FIREARMS CORPORATION/NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-PATENTED.Caliber marking on top of barrel at breech. Rifles made after 1904 have marking on left side of barrel SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL. Marked on upper tang MODEL 1893 (and in later production MODEL ’93).
The Model 1893 was Marlin’s first lever action rifle chambered for the new smokeless powder cartridges. Numerous special order features were available such as sights, take-down, barrel shapes, stocks, etc. and such features will add premiums to value depending on the nature of them and the condition of the gun. The Models 1936 and 36 follow this design and are about identical to it.
Standard Rifle; as above. Early production in calibers 38-55 and 32-40. Upper tang lacks MODEL 1893 markings on early guns:
5D-031 | Values—Very Good $350 | Exc. $1,200 |
Later Production Rifle; Circa 1895 to 1916. BLACK POWDER or SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL marked barrels for all calibers:
5D-032 | Values—Very Good $325 | Exc. $1,100 |
Special Lightweight Rifle; take-down type. 18" or 20" part round/part octagon barrel. Forend 1" shorter than standard. Short magazine. Straight stock with shotgun style buttplate:
5D-033 Standard Rifle with Take-Down Feature
5D-033 | Values—Very Good $425 | Exc. $1,275 |
Carbine; 20" round barrel, full magazine, carbine style buttplate; saddle ring on left side of frame. 61 were made with 15" barrel and one with special 15-1/2" barrel; these will bring considerable premiums. These shorter lengths fall under the provisions of the Gun Control Act and therefore before acquiring a specimen, the legality should be verified. Carbine type folding leaf rear sights:
5D-034 Carbine
5D-034 | Values—Very Good $450 | Exc. $1,400 |
Musket; 30" round barrel; full stocked forend fastened by two barrel bands; cleaning rod fitted beneath barrel; carbine style buttplate. Fitted for socket type bayonet. Late production in 30-30 caliber only having a 24" round barrel and fitted for a knife type bayonet. Values for the most widely made calibers; others will bring an added premium. Only 31 are known made: 25-36 caliber just one made; 30-30 caliber just five made; 32-40 = 22; 38-55 just two made; one other recorded made, but caliber unknown:
5D-035 Musket
5D-035 | Values—Very Good $3,250 | Exc. $5,750 |
Marlin Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle
Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle. Made c. 1894 to 1935. Total quantity approximately 250,000.
Calibers 25-20, 32-20, 38-40, and 44-40. Full length tubular magazine. Octagon or round barrels in lengths from 24" to 32" (at 2" intervals). 20" carbine also made. Buckhorn type rear and blade front sights.
Finish: Casehardened receiver, hammer, lever, buttplate and frame (hammers blued after 1900); blued barrel and magazine. Varnished walnut stocks.
Serial numbered in the range 107678 to 355245 (through 1906); overlaps with various other models. Barrel marking: See below. Caliber marking at top of barrel near breech.
The short action of the Model 1894 was possible due to the relatively short length of the cartridges it was chambered for. Overall design was close to that of the Model 1893. As with most Marlin lever actions, a variety of special order features were available. Their presence will usually add extra values depending on the nature of the special feature and the overall condition of the rifle. These include take-down features and rifle barrels of 22" and shorter.
Early Type Rifle. Barrel marking: MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO., NEW. HAVEN, CT. U.S.A./PATENTED OCT. 11, 1887. APRIL 2. 1889. Top of frame marked MARLIN SAFETY. No model markings appear on tang. Made in calibers 38-40 and 44-40 only:
5D-036 Rifle
5D-036 | Values—Very Good $350 | Exc. $1,000 |
Standard Rifle. Barrel marked as above with additional patent date AUG. 1, 1893. The markings on the top of the frame were omitted. Tang markings MODEL 1894 or, in later production, MODEL ’94. There is an overlap in the use of both markings— with the full date generally being earlier. Crescent style rifle buttplates used until 1906, after which changed to the “S” style (made without heel or tang). Made in all four calibers:
5D-037 | Values—Very Good $300 | Exc. $950 |
Carbine. 20" round barrel with full magazine and carbine style buttplate; saddle ring on left side of receiver. 935 were made with 15" barrels, 29 with 14" barrels and just three with 12" barrels. All of these latter will bring considerable additional premium values, however, these short lengths fall under the provisions of the Gun Control Act and the status of their legality should be verified before acquiring one:
5D-038 Carbine
5D-038 | Values—Very Good $450 | Exc. $1,250 |
Baby Carbine. As above with six-shot half magazine. Weighs just 5-1/2 lbs. Made in calibers 38-40 and 44-40:
5D-039 Musket
5D-039 | Values—Very Good $750 | Exc. $1,850 |