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Marlin 1893 30-30

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11 comments

  • roadhunter02
    I have a Marlin 1893 Lever action 30-30. It has the "Smokeless Steel" printed on the barrel. The serial # is C9405, I'm having a hard time try to get the year of manufacture. I had one site tell me 1885, one guy told me 1947, another said 1904? There is quite a big difference in years. Can anyone help? Thank You
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  • Wehrmacht_45
    Therese were made up until WW1 when Marlin switched to machine gun production. As it is a model 1893, it cant really be made in 1885.

    The 1904 estimate is the only possible one.
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  • He Dog
    Marlin Firearms: Cody Firearms Research, C/O Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming 82414, Phone: (307) 587-4771 - http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/records.cfm

    For a fee they will provide you with a letter showing the production date and shipping of your rifle.
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  • lcdrdanr
    The link for Marlin DOM in the sticky's states that: "Marlin Lever Action Rifle Serial Numbers 1883 to 1906 (Including Models 1881, 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1897.) Note that records are chaotic as all models were numbered in a single serial number range, and numbers are often duplicated, and the dates recorded are apparently shipping dates, not dates of manufacture." Essentially Marlin only used numbers, no letters, prior to 1906 and some time later. It's chaotic up until the 1940's but it is known that later versions (Post 1920) used letter/number combinations but there is little information to be found.

    I have a Marlin 1893 lever action in 38 HP with the "Smokeless Steel" and a serial number of 3887xx that I estimated was manufactured in 1909.

    A model 1893 couldn't have been manufactured in 1885, it would be like having a '57 Chevy made in 1949. If the 1904 date were correct, your serial numbr would be all numbers but I also think that if it were 1947 it would have had two letters (one indicating month, the other indicating year) in front of the serial number.

    Hope this helps

    Dan R
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  • vepr762
    This is a post WW1 rifle. The "C" prefix didn't start showing up on the "Model '93" (look at the top tang)until around 1921. There are no records past 1906 or about serial number 355,000. Keep in mind that production went all the way up to the end of 1935. In 1936 Marlin introduced the "Model 1936".

    What does the barrel rollstamp say?

    Is there a bullseye, in the stock? (post 1924)

    Is there a "star" on the top tang?(almost every post 1926 Marlin had one of these inspectors stamps/marketing gimmicks)
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  • schintzie
    quote:I had one site tell me 1885, one guy told me 1947, another said 1904?
    None of these are correct.
    quote: This is a post WW1 rifle. The "C" prefix didn't start showing up on the "Model '93" (look at the top tang)until around 1921. There are no records past 1906 or about serial number 355,000. Keep in mind that production went all the way up to the end of 1935. In 1936 Marlin introduced the "Model 1936".

    What does the barrel rollstamp say?

    Is there a bullseye, in the stock? (post 1924)

    Is there a "star" on the top tang?(almost every post 1926 Marlin had one of these inspectors stamps/marketing gimmicks)
    This is the information we need to narrow it down.
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  • roadhunter02
    quote:Originally posted by schintzie
    quote:I had one site tell me 1885, one guy told me 1947, another said 1904?
    None of these are correct.
    quote: This is a post WW1 rifle. The "C" prefix didn't start showing up on the "Model '93" (look at the top tang)until around 1921. There are no records past 1906 or about serial number 355,000. Keep in mind that production went all the way up to the end of 1935. In 1936 Marlin introduced the "Model 1936".

    What does the barrel rollstamp say?
    "SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL" Marlin Firearms Co., New Haven, CT, U.S.A.
    Pat'd Oct. 11 1897, April 2nd 1899, Aug. 1st 1893

    Is there a bullseye, in the stock? (post 1924)
    No Bulls Eye

    Is there a "star" on the top tang?(almost every post 1926 Marlin had one of these inspectors stamps/marketing gimmicks)
    No there isn't a Star, There is 1893 then what looks like an arrow head on both sides of the 1893.

    This is the information we need to narrow it down.


    Thank you for all your help.
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  • vepr762
    Your rifle is an early post WW1 rifle.
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  • sandmandrms
    Hi all
    I am searching for the same information on one my dad has had since the early 50's
    Ser. # D53**
    No star on tang, just Model 1893
    Barrel: *Marlin Firearms Co. New Haven Ct.
    Patented Oct.11? 1837 April 2 1889 Aug 1 1893*
    <>Special Smokless Steel<>
    top of breach <<< Marlin Safety >>>
    It has a hex barrel

    ???? the but plate is black plastic Stevens written on it
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  • roadhunter02
    It sounds similar to mine. You can contact Cody Winchester/ Marlin Museum in Wyoming but they will tell you the same as me, I think. There are no records for these years on this gun. But if it says "model 1893" then it was made between 1889 to 1905. They know this because in 1905 they dropped the 18 and the gun became just the model 93. The expert that I talked to from the museum said that the guys on this form don't know what they are talking about. I hope this helps. Like I said call Cody Museum, they were very helpful.
    quote:Originally posted by sandmandrms
    Hi all
    I am searching for the same information on one my dad has had since the early 50's
    Ser. # D53**
    No star on tang, just Model 1893
    Barrel: *Marlin Firearms Co. New Haven Ct.
    Patented Oct.11? 1837 April 2 1889 Aug 1 1893*
    <>Special Smokless Steel<>
    top of breach <<< Marlin Safety >>>
    It has a hex barrel

    ???? the but plate is black plastic Stevens written on it
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  • sandmandrms
    Thank you
    That is about what I thought from searching, but the D in the ser. # put me off.
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