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First Year Marlin Model 1893 Chicago World’s Fair .32-40 Lever Action Rifle, Antique

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
First Year Marlin Model 1893 Chicago World’s Fair .32-40 Lever Action Rifle, Antique
RARe First Year Marlin Model 1893 Chicago World’s Fair exposition .32-40 Lever Action Rifle, Antique

Our Assessment: This is the first rifle Marlin designed for, then new, smokeless powder cartridges. Marlin christened the improved lever-action Model 1893, and offered it as a rifle or a saddle-ring carbine, both featuring case-hardened receivers and sporting blued Ballard match-grade barrels. It was produced from 1893 to 1936. This is a Model 1893 made to commemorate The World's Columbian exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, a world's fair held in Chicago from May 5 to October 31, 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. This is a rare and neat antique Marlin commemorative 1893 rifle from the first year of production that would be a welcome addition to any collection of Marlin firearms.

Make: Marlin Firearms Co.

Model: 1893 World’s Columbian exposition

Serial Number: 91044

Year of Manufacture: 1893

Caliber: .32-40 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle w/ Magazine Tube

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "MARLIN FIRe-ARMS CO, NeW-HAVeN, CT. U.S.A. / PATeNTeD OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL. 2. 1889.". The top of the receiver is marked "MARLIN SAFeTY". The bottom of the receiver is marked "91044". There are commemorative inlets on each side of the buttstock that read "COLUMBIAN / 1893 / eXPOSITION" on the left and "WORLD'S COLUMBIAN / eXPOSITION / CHICAGO / 1893" on the right. The stock set is serial matching.

Barrel Length: 20.75"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman folding combination sight dovetailed to the barrel and the rear sight is a folding vintage 1876 ladder sight. The tang is equipped with a vintage peep aperture sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with a capped forearm, straight grip, straight comb, and a crescent steel buttplate. There are two cracks on the right side of the buttstock and a smaller crack on the left side. There are some catered compressions and minor scratches. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate which has a light mottled patina appearance. The stocks rate in about Very Good-Plus overall condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is well defined. There is erosion in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, the bore rates a 7 out of 10 as Antique.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The metal surfaces display thinned edges, light erosion throughout, and some scattered scratches and dings. The screw heads are mostly sharp, some are lightly tool marked. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good-Plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This is the first rifle Marlin designed for, then new, smokeless powder cartridges. Marlin christened the improved lever-action Model 1893, and offered it as a rifle or a saddle-ring carbine, both featuring case-hardened receivers and sporting blued Ballard match-grade barrels. It was produced from 1893 to 1936. This is a Model 1893 made to commemorate The World's Columbian exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, a world's fair held in Chicago from May 5 to October 31, 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. This is a rare and neat antique Marlin commemorative 1893 rifle from the first year of production that would be a welcome addition to any collection of Marlin firearms.

CA Legality: CA Classified Antique: Yes