Marlin Model 1893 32 -40 Obsolete calibre Lever Action .32 Rifles

The Marlin 1893 underlever rifle was the first Marlin that was manufactured in excess of 50,000 units, in fact a million rifles were made until the design was replaced in 1935 by the model 1894 which had a shorter action to allow the chambering of pistol cartridges. The model 1893 was an improvement on the previous model underlever rifle as it could handle much larger cartridges.

The iconic Marlin 1893 was a direct competitor to the Winchester 1894 but had the advantage of side ejection which allowed easier mounting of scopes on top of the receiver.

This particular good looking early rifle is in obsolete 32-40 calibre so can be owned as an object of curiosity without a license. The rifle has a good tight action, nice bore and excellent wood with no major issues. The rifle features an octagonal barrel, steel crescent butt plate and is a factory order length barrel for the calibre of 26” with a full length magazine and in a “safety” (high grade steel) barrel. Usual maker’s marks and patent marks are nicely stamped and in the correct place where they should be and the rifle has toned to a nice even colour as can be seen.

This rifle is set up with a tang sight and the owner told me it was set up for bench rest shooting. The owner said he had more than 30 rifles and as he was now 80 he was giving up shooting to focus on family. The rifle is fitted with a later buck horn rear sight as he said he liked them but wisely he kept the original antique sights which were originally supplied when the rifle was new and these will accompany the rifle.

Overall a pleasing example with a nice octagonal barrel. This can be supplied direct to you as an obsolete calibre but could be proofed if you wanted to put it on a firearms certificate. For further information on this model read the excellent Marlin Firearms History by Lt Col William S Brophy.