Marlin Model 1895 .33 WCF Lever-Action Rifle – Pre-WWI, Case-Hardened Receiver, 24" Special Smokeless Steel Barrel
This first-generation Marlin Model 1895 was built circa 1912 and chambered in the scarce .33 Winchester Center Fire cartridge. It retains its factory bone-charcoal case-hardened receiver and a 24-inch round Special Smokeless Steel barrel, making it a standout example of Marlin’s large-frame design. With production of early Model 1895s limited to fewer than 18,000 units—and far fewer in .33 WCF—this rifle offers notable collector appeal while remaining fully shootable.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal surfaces display small handling marks and scattered light scratches consistent with normal field use. The walnut stock and forend show minor finish blemishes yet remain structurally solid.
What’s Included
- Marlin Model 1895 .33 WCF lever-action rifle
Marlin introduced the Model 1895 as its strongest lever-action platform of the era, and this example showcases that engineering with a large, solid-top, side-eject receiver drilled and tapped at the factory for a Hepburn tang sight. The case-hardened finish on the receiver, lever, hammer, and forend cap retains pleasing color, underscoring its factory-original character.
The 24-inch round barrel is marked "Special Smokeless Steel," indicating Marlin’s high-tensile alloy designed for the then-new smokeless powder loads. Chambered in .33 WCF, the rifle balances vintage allure with practical ballistics, and this chambering is rarely encountered compared with the more common .45-70 or .38-56 offerings.
Sighting is handled by a dovetailed bead front and an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear, giving the shooter a clear, traditional sight picture. A straight-grip walnut stock with a 13.1-inch length of pull complements the rifle’s quick handling characteristics, while the matching walnut forend maintains classic Marlin lines.
Classified as Curio & Relic eligible, this Model 1895 blends collector desirability with shootable integrity, presenting a solid opportunity for those seeking an early, large-frame Marlin in an uncommon chambering.