Guns International #: 102932736

Category - Marlin Rifles - Antique - Rifles - American Lever Action

Category
Marlin Rifles - Antique
Rifles - American Lever Action

EXTREMELY RARE MARLIN MODEL 1895 CARBINE IN RARE CALIBER .40-70, #263XXX, MADE 1903.

Description:
EXTREMELY RARE MODEL MARLIN 1895 CARBINE IN RARE CALIBER .40-70, #263XXX, MADE 1903. This may well be a one-of-a-kind Marlin! According to  Marlin Firearms by Brophy, "A total of 5,304 Model 1895s, of which only 205 were carbines, were manufactured from 1895-1906."  Brophy also states that the .40-70 WCF cartridge was added in 1897 and that the Marlin catalogue indicates that the .40-70 could be fired in the .40-82 chamber. I don't recall seeing another 1895 in .40-70. Of the few 1895 carbines I've encountered most were in .38-56 or .45-70. Further, Brophy states, "The standard receiver finish of Model 1895 carbines and rifles was case-hardened. If special-ordered, the receiver would be furnished with a blued finish at no additional cost... When introduced, the Model 1895 carbine was furnished with a 22-in. round barrel...The standard carbine had a sling ring on the left side of the receiver. The ring would be eliminated on special order. Also, if sling swivels were ordered, the ring would be omitted unless ordered to be retained." This example was special ordered with sling swivels and no ring as well as with a blue receiver. Interestingly, by the serial number it was made in early 1903 (numbers for this year went from 262500-287300) and once again according to Brophy, beginning in 1903 the receiver tops were drilled and tapped for the Hepburn receiver sight. He states that the "Marlin Safety" marking was moved forward for this.  This example has the factory holes with filler screws and the forward screw does go through the Marlin Safety marking- my feeling is that it was an early receiver that was used before the marking was moved forward. There is no indication a sight was ever mounted on the receiver top. The receiver shows fine lightly aged and dulled blue with minor gray and brown mixing. Similarly, the22"  barrel shows good aged blue that has some brown mixing, but retains fine markings. The mag tube blue has aged with more brown mixing than the barrel. It is fitted with the correct carbine ladder rear sight with slide intact and a Beach folding globe front sight. The forearm is generally excellent with one typcal age crack on the bottom ahead of the barrel band that does not extend further back from the band. The butt stock is also fine with one age crack coming back from the upper  tang on the right side for approx. 2 inches that is hard to detect. Action is tight and the half-cock is strong. The bore is sharp and excellent. With only 205 carbines made in all styles and calibers, this one is a rarity among rarities.

Price: $5,800.00

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .40
Manufacturer: MARLIN
Model: 1895 CARBINE
Serial Number: 263XXX
Barrel Length: 22
Condition: FINE+
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT