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A friend of mine brought this rifle to show me today. It was given to his Dad around 25 years ago, and his Dad gave it to him. "Marlin Safety" on top of the reciever, model 1895 on the tang, drilled and tapped for a tang site. The takedown mechanism has a patent date of 1894(doesn't show clearly in the pic). I don't know enough about them to tell him if the pistol grip stock and checkering are factory or not. Looks like it was re-barreled as the barrel is nicely blued and the rest of the metal has no blueing left. Some case color can be seen on the slide that covers the breech. 45-90 is crudely stamped on top of the barrel, and I assume someone re-barreled, and reamed to 45-90. Did they come in 45-90, or did someone have to modify the action to accomodate the longer round? There is two boxes of loaded ammo in the canvas bag that the rifle came in. They are 45-70 brass, but the notes on the box say 350 grain bullet seated out to 45-90 length. 21.5 grains of Sharpshooter powder.
" I never went to college, but I sure paid for my education." A favorite quote from my Grandfather.
THAT is a nice rifle! And very desirable. Yes, they were made in 45-90 and if it was not for the somewhat crude stamping, I would say the entire rifle is "right". Its a deluxe
Do you know how to check the rifling twist? Original rifling twist in the 45-90 was 1-32 while the 45-70 is 1-22 (or near that) There is a possibility it is all original.
The Sharpshooter powder has not been made since the war (ww2) It is a fast burning powder used in the old cases, somewhat close to today's AA-5744---------Sixgun
I agree with Kell, the front assembly is probably built up using the original takedown assembly and mag tube, then a new barrel rechambered to .45-90. It's still a deluxe 1895 takedown, and as such a very valuable gun even with a new rechambered barrel and mismatched forearm. A letter from Cody would identify it's original configuration, if one wanted to return it, but I'd just enjoy it as is.-Vall
Some folks have all the luck. Nice Rifle. IT is a keeper.
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The best thing about the REAL 1895 Marlins is that they all have "Special Smokeless Steel" barrels, regardless of caliber. No need for piddly little low pressure loads with those beasts.
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So, how much is it worth? He already said he won't sell it, but would like to know. The old boy that gave the rifle to my friends Dad, also gave him a model 94 winchester in 25-35. My friend used that rifle to kill his first deer.
" I never went to college, but I sure paid for my education." A favorite quote from my Grandfather.
Guncase wrote:So, how much is it worth? He already said he won't sell it, but would like to know. The old boy that gave the rifle to my friends Dad, also gave him a model 94 winchester in 25-35. My friend used that rifle to kill his first deer.
Dont know what its worth really, but early model 94's going for close to a g-note sometimes in shooter condition-- so this one should be worth a tad more
Well Guncase, I have a few deluxe 1895s, and since you asked....a serious Marlin collector wouldn't want it. Some of the amateurs out there may pay as high as $2500.00, but you can't put lipstick on a rifle so I think that is too high. Maybe Jorgy will chime in, he had a table full of 1895 Marlin deluxes at the last gun show, nicest collection I've seen.
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