What Marlin?

[ScottG]

Hi all,

I haven't posted since the change over. The new forum set up looks very good.

I went to a Crossroads of the West gun show recently and found a guy selling a Marlin lever. I couldn't read much on the gun - bad eyes - but the seller says it's chambered in .32 and I thought he said it was manufactured in 1889. It didn't have a loading gate, but a tube loaded magazine, and after searching online for information maybe he was wrong and it's a .22. Do the Marlin experts here know what levergun I was looking at? It had an octagonal barrel. It seemed more like a carbine length than a rifle.

He wanted $850 for it. It was a nice looking gun. The metal had a patina and the wood looked original. I passed on it so I have no pictures, but I was wondering what model I was looking at and if the price was fair.

Thanks for the help.

[6pt-sika]

IF it was tube fed and 32 cal , I would say it was made after 1889 .

There were three models that were tube fed and shot 32 caliber cartridges . The models 1891 , 1892 and 92 were all made to fire the 32 Short or Long rimfire as well as the 32 Short or Long Colt by changing firing pins .

But supposedly the earliest any of these would have been made was 1891 . Also I think a few of the 32's may have been made in the model 1891 that loaded thru a noraml port in the action .

The easiest way to get an idea of what you were looking at was if it looked like a model 1897 or 39A in action size and design .

As far as price is concerned all I can tell you is that I purchased a model 92 in 32 cal about 5 or 6 years ago for about $500 , this one was made about 1916 I think .

Then about 2 years ago I picked up a very nice model 1892 that was made in 1900 this one is 32 caliber as well . and I paid $550 for this one .

My model 92 has an octagon barrel which seems to bring a little more and my 1892 is round barrel .

These were pretty much utilitarian rifles so really nice specimens are a little hard to come by . Most you will find have seen very hard use . And with that being said I have seen some priced as low as $300 and as high as $2000 . For me to pay $850 it would need to be real nice but then I already have a pair . I am not totally sure what the market for them is at the moment . But I would say $850 for a nice one is not out of the realm of possibilities .

[Slick]

I couldn't read much on the gun - bad eyes .

Sorry I can't help you on the gun - but I CAN suggest that you pick up a pocket loupe as they sell for less than $10 and my aging eyes can't do without one.

Welcome back.

[jdad]

Standard barrel length was 24", so this may have been cut down. 1889? not likely, but 1898 quite possible. The 32 cal were more common than the 22cal models. It was probably an 1892. For $850, the mag tube had better be in perfect working order, nice smooth metal that was more blue than patina, and the bore had better have more rifling than crusty stuff. Now, if this was a pistol grip "deluxe" 1892, chambered in .32, you should have grabbed it. Those are a whole lot more rare than the deluxe .22 version.

[rjohns94]

welcome back to posting

[Pete44ru]

Welcome back - +2



Pocket loupe - +1

[6pt-sika]

Mybe some pics will help



The Model 1892 with the round barrel is on top circa 1900 and the model 92 circa 1916 with the octagon barrel is on the bottom .





Both sides of the action of the model 1892 !



The top of the action on the model 1892 !

[6pt-sika]

Failed to mention earlier but both of my little rifles have 24" barrels !

[Jaguarundi]

6pt-sika sweet rifles !What cartridges are they chambered for?

[6pt-sika]

6pt-sika sweet rifles !What cartridges are they chambered for?

They are 32 caliber and either shoot 32 rimfire short or long with rimfire pin . Or change to centerfire pin and they fire 32 Short Colt or 32 Long Colt .

[Jaguarundi]

Sweet dual capabilty !