1888 Marlin

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Rube Burrows
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1888 Marlin

Post by Rube Burrows »

Hello everyone. I was wondering who all here has a Marlin 1888?

My bucket list gun is a Marlin 1888 in 38-40 with the 24" barrel.

Would love to see photos if anyone has a Marlin 1888 they would like to show of.
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OldWin
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by OldWin »

I believe Shrapnel has an 88. I think he posted a pic of it not too long ago.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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marlinman93
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by marlinman93 »

I've owned a half dozen of them in my life, but don't have one anymore. Sold most of my repeating Marlins when I got Ballard fever a few decades ago.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
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Rube Burrows
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by Rube Burrows »

OldWin wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:55 pm I believe Shrapnel has an 88. I think he posted a pic of it not too long ago.

Maybe he will see this and post a photo.
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Rube Burrows
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Re: 1888 Marlin

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marlinman93 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:38 am I've owned a half dozen of them in my life, but don't have one anymore. Sold most of my repeating Marlins when I got Ballard fever a few decades ago.

I have only ever got to see one up close and personal and I believe (if memory serves me right) that it was a 32-20.
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OldWin
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by OldWin »

Rube Burrows wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:53 am
marlinman93 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:38 am I've owned a half dozen of them in my life, but don't have one anymore. Sold most of my repeating Marlins when I got Ballard fever a few decades ago.

I have only ever got to see one up close and personal and I believe (if memory serves me right) that it was a 32-20.
Me too.
I've had an 81, an 89, and a few others. Only one I kept was the 89. They are all neat rifles, but being mostly a Winchester guy, I just never had a lot of them.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Rube Burrows
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by Rube Burrows »

OldWin wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:53 pm
Rube Burrows wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:53 am
marlinman93 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:38 am I've owned a half dozen of them in my life, but don't have one anymore. Sold most of my repeating Marlins when I got Ballard fever a few decades ago.

I have only ever got to see one up close and personal and I believe (if memory serves me right) that it was a 32-20.
Me too.
I've had an 81, an 89, and a few others. Only one I kept was the 89. They are all neat rifles, but being mostly a Winchester guy, I just never had a lot of them.
I’m a Winchester guy also but do like the marlins too. The 88 has always been a want of mine though.

I am from the same town as Rube Burrow and even grew up on some land that was once owned by his family. I grew up looking at this photo and always wanted one like it. I have held the very rifle in this photo.
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OldWin
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by OldWin »

That's cool as all get out! It all makes sense now. I'd want one too. :D
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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gamekeeper
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by gamekeeper »

Rube, I hope you find this one in your Christmas stocking..... 8)
the-only-known-engraved-model-1889-marlin-jm301-3.jpg
Click to enlarge image.
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marlinman93
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by marlinman93 »

Rube Burrows wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:53 am
marlinman93 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:38 am I've owned a half dozen of them in my life, but don't have one anymore. Sold most of my repeating Marlins when I got Ballard fever a few decades ago.

I have only ever got to see one up close and personal and I believe (if memory serves me right) that it was a 32-20.
Those in .32-20 are the rarest of the rare! I never owned a .32-20 version out of all those I owned. Mine were all either .44-40 or .38-40 calibers.
I've still got three 1881's, a couple 1893's and a 1894. Some I regret having sold, as they're tough to replace. But doubt I'd ever get heavy into pre WWI Marlin lever guns like I once was. I had over 200 at one point.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
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Rube Burrows
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by Rube Burrows »

gamekeeper wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:13 am Rube, I hope you find this one in your Christmas stocking..... 8)

the-only-known-engraved-model-1889-marlin-jm301-3.jpg
Click to enlarge image.

Now that is interesting. I sure would not be upset at getting that in my stocking.
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Rube Burrows
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by Rube Burrows »

marlinman93 wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:33 am
Rube Burrows wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:53 am
marlinman93 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:38 am I've owned a half dozen of them in my life, but don't have one anymore. Sold most of my repeating Marlins when I got Ballard fever a few decades ago.

I have only ever got to see one up close and personal and I believe (if memory serves me right) that it was a 32-20.
Those in .32-20 are the rarest of the rare! I never owned a .32-20 version out of all those I owned. Mine were all either .44-40 or .38-40 calibers.
I've still got three 1881's, a couple 1893's and a 1894. Some I regret having sold, as they're tough to replace. But doubt I'd ever get heavy into pre WWI Marlin lever guns like I once was. I had over 200 at one point.
I didn't know that at the time. I almost bought it and kick myself every day for not buying it but I was holding out for the 38-40. I thought it would be an easier thing to find back then.
hfcable
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by hfcable »

I have only had one and still have it. it is a 44/40 and pretty rough shape. will dig it out and take a picture, but I am sure Shrapnel would have a better one. I keep trying to get a nicer one but it is very hard to find one, especially an affordable one.
cable
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Rube Burrows
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by Rube Burrows »

hfcable wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:56 pm I have only had one and still have it. it is a 44/40 and pretty rough shape. will dig it out and take a picture, but I am sure Shrapnel would have a better one. I keep trying to get a nicer one but it is very hard to find one, especially an affordable one.
:P looking forward to seeing it. No matter the condition.
hfcable
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by hfcable »

actually is just very 'brown all over ' but all metal and wood are intact and action is smooth, bore is dark but excellent rifling. haven't tried to clean the bore yet;

Image

Image

Image
cable
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OldWin
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by OldWin »

Nice! I wouldn't say it's rough. When you consider how many there are I'd say it ain't bad at all.
If you get a chance, scrub up that bore and try her out! :D
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
hfcable
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by hfcable »

OldWin wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:44 pm Nice! I wouldn't say it's rough. When you consider how many there are I'd say it ain't bad at all.
If you get a chance, scrub up that bore and try her out! :D
I sure will, and bet it will shoot reasonably well.
cable
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Rube Burrows
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by Rube Burrows »

I love it. Great looking 88.
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OldWin
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by OldWin »

hfcable wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:11 pm
OldWin wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:44 pm Nice! I wouldn't say it's rough. When you consider how many there are I'd say it ain't bad at all.
If you get a chance, scrub up that bore and try her out! :D
I sure will, and bet it will shoot reasonably well.
I know the old Marlins I have had have all been great shooters. My 1889 38-40 has been super.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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marlinman93
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by marlinman93 »

gamekeeper wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:13 am Rube, I hope you find this one in your Christmas stocking..... 8)

the-only-known-engraved-model-1889-marlin-jm301-3.jpg
Click to enlarge image.
That's an 1889, not an 1888, and not sure why the link says "the only known engraved 1889? I know a collector in Canada who collected specifically 1889 Marlins, and had 3 or 4 of them. Len Guldman in Aurora, Colorado also had a set of engraved 1889 Marlins that made the cover of one or two magazines back in the 1980's. I believe I've kept a copy of one of those magazines just because they were so stunning. |
So a lot more than just ONE 1889 factory engraved gun.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
jdad
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by jdad »

Of course it's the only one......It's in Leroy Merz' inventory. :D

marlinman93 wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2020 10:03 am
gamekeeper wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:13 am Rube, I hope you find this one in your Christmas stocking..... 8)

the-only-known-engraved-model-1889-marlin-jm301-3.jpg
Click to enlarge image.
That's an 1889, not an 1888, and not sure why the link says "the only known engraved 1889? I know a collector in Canada who collected specifically 1889 Marlins, and had 3 or 4 of them. Len Guldman in Aurora, Colorado also had a set of engraved 1889 Marlins that made the cover of one or two magazines back in the 1980's. I believe I've kept a copy of one of those magazines just because they were so stunning. |
So a lot more than just ONE 1889 factory engraved gun.
I know a whole lot about very little and nothing about a whole lot.
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by gamekeeper »

Close but no cigar. . . . :oops:
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marlinman93
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Re: 1888 Marlin

Post by marlinman93 »

jdad wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2020 11:06 am Of course it's the only one......It's in Leroy Merz' inventory. :D
Leroy's got a huge personal collection of engraved firearms. An amazing number of them are Savage 99's. But quite a few Marlins also. If that was the only known engraved 1889 I'd be shocked if he'd sell it from his collection.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
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