Marlin Model 1893 .30-30 Lever-Action Short Rifle, 20 Inch Octagon Barrel, Antique (1897)
This antique 1897 Marlin Model 1893 stands out as a short-rifle configuration with a 20 inch octagon barrel, full-length tubular magazine, and classic solid-top, side-eject square-bolt receiver. It carries period-correct markings, including the tang marked "Model 1893," the receiver top marked "MARLIN SAFETY," and the New Haven barrel address with patent dates. Chambered in .30-30 with a 6 round capacity and iron sights, it is eligible for a factory letter from records through 1906, adding documented provenance potential to an already desirable configuration.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Fouling: Moderate Fouling - Lead or copper fouling with noticeable buildup.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: This antique rifle presents well for its age. The bore would benefit from a thorough cleaning and careful maintenance.
What’s Included
- Marlin Model 1893 .30-30 lever-action rifle
Built in 1897, this Model 1893 qualifies as an antique and represents the late 1890s era of Marlin production. The receiver features Marlin's solid-top, side-eject, square-bolt design, with the receiver top marked "MARLIN SAFETY" and the tang marked "Model 1893." The barrel top carries the "MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A." address with patent dates Oct. 11, 1887; Apr.
2, 1889; and Aug. 1, 1893.
This short-rifle configuration pairs a 20 inch octagon barrel with a full-length tubular magazine, yielding a 6 round capacity in .30-30. The sighting setup is traditional and practical: a dovetailed front blade and an adjustable leaf, buckhorn-style rear sight.
Stock furniture includes a straight-grip walnut buttstock capped by a two-screw steel buttplate and a rifle-style forearm with a steel forend cap. The length of pull measures 14.0 inches, offering a classic rifle fit and feel consistent with the period.
For those who value documented history, this rifle is eligible for a factory letter (records through 1906), providing an opportunity to confirm shipment details and original configuration from Marlin's archival records.