Marlin Model 1895 First Generation Square-Bolt .40-82 WCF, 26 inch Octagon, Special Smokeless Steel, Antique (1897)
This is a rare first-run Marlin Model 1895 in .40-82 WCF from the square-bolt, first-generation series, manufactured in 1897 (antique). It features a 26 inch full-octagon barrel marked "SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL," classic German-silver blade and semi-buckhorn sights, and a solid-top receiver with side ejection. Collectors will appreciate its early, pre-1903 configuration without Hepburn receiver-sight holes and its eligibility for a Cody/Marlin archival letter.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The rifle shows finish loss with mild to moderate pitting and general wear. It appears to function when operated by hand, has not been test-fired. The buttstock has slight wiggle and shows an old repair.
What’s Included
- Marlin Model 1895 First Generation (Square-Bolt) lever-action rifle chambered in .40-82 WCF
Built in the first generation of the 1895 line, this square-bolt example represents the rare early run of the model. The receiver is a solid-top design with a side-ejection window and flat-top bolt, and the upper tang is correctly marked "MODEL 1895." The top of the receiver lacks Hepburn sight holes, matching the pre-1903 configuration.
The 26 inch full-octagon barrel is roll-marked "SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL" and carries Marlin’s maker’s address with the 1887, 1889, and 1893 patent dates in an arrow-motif panel. The caliber marking "40-82" is stamped at the breech. A full-length tubular magazine runs to the muzzle, providing an 8+1 capacity in .40-82 WCF.
Sighting equipment includes a dovetailed German-silver blade front sight and a semi-buckhorn rear sight with a step elevator. The rifle wears a straight-grip walnut stock capped by a crescent steel buttplate, and the length of pull measures 13 inches.
This antique 1897 example is eligible for an archival letter from the Cody/Marlin ledgers to document its original ship date and configuration. It offers the hallmark features that distinguish the earliest 1895s while retaining the period-correct details sought by collectors.