Needless to say, such guns command rarified prices-and frankly they are well worth the tariff.Įven Marlins with light engraving or special-order features such as unusual barrel lengths or styles, unusual sights and fancy stocks can boost a fairly commonplace piece into another stratum of desirability. Over the years some of the most spectacular, engraved, gold-inlaid firearms I have ever seen have been Marlins. The Marlin lever-action receivers, like those of Winchesters, offer themselves particularly well to embellishment. This was the first of the solid-top frame Marlins, a feature felt by many to be superior to some if its rivals and the first gun to possess the true 'Marlin look.' Production lasted only one year, when the rifle was superseded by an improved model, the 1889. In the meantime, Marlin cataloged its Model 1888, which had the advantage of a shorter-throw mechanism to handle the pistol cartridges for which it was chambered. 45-70), some 20,000 were turned out before cessation of production in 1892. Ultimately available in several styles and calibers (.32-40.

Relying upon patents by Marlin, Andrew Burgess and others, it was a solid, reliable piece of hardware. In 1881, however, Marlin brought out a lever gun that was every bit a match for the Winchester. As early as 1879, John Marlin patented his first lever-action rifle, and while it worked reasonably well it was an awkward-looking thing-something of a cross between a Spencer, Ball and Winchester-and it never really made it much past the drawing board.

Marlin 1893 manufacture date