This is a really nice untouched attic find Marlin Model 1893 Sporting Rifle in desirable 38-55 Caliber with the SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL BARREL option. These are the antique guns that I live to find! Nice, untouched, high condition. Always desired but rarely found. Since 38-55 and 32-40 were black powder cartridges, most 1893's in these two calibers came with softer ordnance grade steel and not the Special Smokeless Steel barrels which were reserved for the brand new Smokeless Powder 30-30 and 25-36 rounds which hit the market in the mid-1890s. However, you could order an 1893 with the better steel in a 38-55 which some did although it cost a little more. 32-40 and 38-55 were great rounds that came out in the 1880's and often found on single shot target rifles. The 32-40 was so accurate that it held the world's record for a 10 shot group at 200 yards until just about 20 years ago. The 38-55 was also extremely accurate but packed a much bigger punch than any of the others. Of course, the other plus side was that guys like to reload these rounds with Ideal and Winchester hand reloading tools and cast their own bullets.
Otherwise, this is a a standard sporting configuration 26 Inch Octagon Barrel, Full Magazine, Crescent Rifle Buttplate. It has the original Semi-Buckhorn long Marlin Ballard Rear Sight with the original fish hook shape elevator. In addition to the original sight, it has a Lyman Tang Sight and Lyman Adjustable Globe Front Sight which are about $400 worth of additional fancy sights. These sometimes came installed by the factory on special order but were usually purchased and installed by the dealer or hardware store and they could also be mail ordered. They came on this gun, they've been on it probably since new, and I'm not taking them off just to make money. I see so many dealers pull fancy sights just to make extra money and could care less about history or leaving undisturbed things alone so enjoy them. Overall, it's in NRA Antique Fine Plus to Excellent Condition. In my opinion, this rifle lived in a house with someone who smoked A LOT....it has a lot of character. The case colors on the frame are just about all there but light and smoky with a coat of nicotine in the corners...it's old and doesn't have any odor to it and probably did a good job of preserving the gun. The barrel and magazine tube are about 98% original blue. The walnut stock and forend are in Excellent shape and have a nice dark rich patina. A really good looking sharp crisp Marlin with an antique serial number, 153,000 range. Fantastic screw heads that haven't been boogered. Super Nice Bore! Really nice untouched Marlin with an original owner who went the extra mile with the Special Smokeless Steel Barrel for the best caliber and an appreciation for fancy sights!
Item# 557
$3,450
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