My 'New' Vintage Marlin Levergun (Photos)

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:09 am

Ladies and gents, every once in a while, an old levergun comes along that has extra special appeal. It is a keeper for sure. This week, I added such a levergun to my modest collection, an original Marlin Model '94 Saddle Ring Carbine chambered in 38-40 and made sometime between 1916 and 1921. It is in very nice condition, with an excellent bore. I have not had time to go to the range yet, but plan to within the next couple weeks. The 38-40 is one of my favourite cartridges. Here are some photos .....

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:39 am

Nice find, very nice.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:46 am

Well, NOW! Except for that silly bump on the end of the lever, that's just the way a leveraction carbine SHOULD look! Nice find, Kirk.

Range Report... Range Report... Range Report... Range Report...

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:52 am

That is very nice. looking forward to the range report

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:15 am

WOW ! !

- Nice addition, Kirk !

Petey likey...

.

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:22 am

That is a beauty!! I especially like saddle ring carbines.

stickfred · Post by **stickfred** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:24 am

Congratulations on your new addition Kirk. Looks darned good for being nearly 100 years old. Happy shooting!!

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:52 am

Kirk, you don't see many of those especially in that condition. Great find!

Dave B · Post by **Dave B** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:55 am

Very nice!!!

Dave B

gak · Post by **gak** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 12:03 pm

Very nice! These and their rifle-caliber cousin the 1893 are the only Marlins that really catch my attention. Sure wish Marlin would make 'em like this again - slim!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 12:19 pm

I think I'm gonna move to Canada. You guys up there seem to have the corner on really nice lever guns.

Kirk,
That is a sweet heart for sure. If my current 1894 Marlin had a round barrel I'd be bugging you for detailed pics to do a retro on it.
Congrats on the acquisition.

Joe

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:50 pm

Kirk--the master of photography! ( and nice leverguns

) Nice pic and a solid looking '94. Even here, in SE Pa--the land of plenty---for nice old guns, we don't see too many Marlin carbines (or Savage carbines).

Ya done well ........and......I notice that the time frame inbetween your purchases of fine leverguns is getting shorter----the disease is growing aggressively

--------------Sixgun

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:07 pm

.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:16 pm

That's one very nice Marlin just begging to be taken hunting!

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:35 pm

Nice find Kirk, pleased fer'ya.

How did you come across this one?

What ammo or loads you going to try?

Nath.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 4:20 pm

Nath wrote:Nice find Kirk, pleased fer'ya.

How did you come across this one?

What ammo or loads you going to try?

Nath.

Nath, I am going to experiment with some loads that give around 1,500 fps with a 180 gr cast bullet. I was thinking that this little rifle would be just the ticket for those foxes of yours. The way I came across this one is last fall, I put the word out that I wanted a nice '86. One fellow put me in touch with a retired gentlemen who had a couple of '86's and, in talking with him, he mentioned this sweet little SRC. The moment I heard of it, I wanted it!

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:25 pm

That gun makes my heart beat faster! Very nice!

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:40 pm

SWEET!!

Batman1939 · Post by **Batman1939** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:08 pm

Kirk, Another very nice carbine added to the collection. I'd think your potential load will be more than adequate for foxes and would do a nice job on deer when used within its limitations. Enjoy !!

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:00 pm

Nice score - a cartridge I am thinking I could be interested in.

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:12 pm

There's #1!!!

.........11 more, and Kirk has his 2012 Calendar all done!!!

Nice find!

Old No7

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:50 pm

Just lovely! I have yet to add a .38-40 but it is a chambering that's interested me for a long time. Your rifle makes me want to get with it!

Best,
Oly

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:55 pm

Excellent. Don't let that one get away.

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:05 pm

I really enjoy taking out this combo of 38-40s. I like the cartridge probably best of all the revolver calibers though the 44-40 is close.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:02 pm

A real beauty Kirk, proud for you.

gak · Post by **gak** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:03 am

You've got me interested too! Ruger could go a long way towards advancing a .38-40 come back by introducing a convertible (with .40 S&W) New Vaquero

It then wouldn't be long--he said naively--before Rossi and Chiappa would take the round up. (In fact Chiappa did when they first intro'd their 92, but don't know if they ever carried through on?). Yes the '73s are out there, but it'd also be nice to see the Winnie 92 clones and Marlin 94s come back with the .38 WCF, eh?

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:59 am

That is a real nice one Kirk

Hope for a range report soon.

jlchucker · Post by **jlchucker** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:13 am

VERY nice looking Marlin there, Kirk. Too bad they still don't make them looking anywhere near as good.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:22 am

Rangerider7, that is a very nice looking '92 38-40. It would look great on the wall beside my Marlin!

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:02 am

NICE Marlin, Kirk!

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:24 pm

Very nice marlin...and in 38-40...my favorite too!...enjoy it!

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:14 pm

Kirk, I guess I might as well send you my 1873 Winchester in 38-40 along too!

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:51 pm

Rangerider7, you're killing me!! You have a very nice condition '73 there. I can't complain too bad, however, as I also have a '73 in 38-40 to go along with my Marlin SRC. Here's a photo of my '73 38-40 ...

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:27 pm

Looks great! That is the way I like them and great photo as usual. I also have a 1st generation Colt SAA, 1st generation Colt Bisley, and a recent 3rd generation Colt SAA all in 38-40. As you can tell I like the cartridge.

That was the 1st gen. Colt SAA in the photo with the 92.

Batman1939 · Post by **Batman1939** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:17 pm

RR7: Who do you trust to do all the dusting and cleaning in your "museum"? Looks like it would be a near full-time job.

KCSO · Post by **KCSO** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:23 pm

Hey a fellow over on Cast Boolits just got one like that! I'll bet he's going to shoot his too.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:33 pm

KCSO wrote:Hey a fellow over on Cast Boolits just got one like that! I'll bet he's going to shoot his too.

Maybe I should get in touch with him!

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:14 pm

RR7 and Kirk you guys are killing me.

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:17 pm

Batman1939, me and only me!

walks with gun · Post by **walks with gun** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 4:04 pm

Very sweet

Batman1939 · Post by **Batman1939** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:56 pm

RR7, That's what I figured. Don't blame you at all.