Mine was made in 1972 which was the first year of production. The old ones have a straight pull stock, which I like better.

 

There is one on gunbroker that says it has ballard rifling. From 1973 I think.

 

Thanks Lads. I like the pistol grip as I find it fits me better. I may be wrong but I find the finish on the Remlins is not as smooth as the JM's. If I could find a JM 1895 Classic 45 70 with a pistol grip and ballard rifling, it is pretty much a dream rifle. Make it stainless I would be in heaven.

 

On GunBroker.com They got a stainless 2006 JM 1895XLR 45/70 used in excellent condition - you will have to get in line with others bidding on it. Two NIB 2008 JM 1895XLR 45/70's sold for $1695 apiece a few days ago!

Marlin 1895 XLR 45-70 Stainless JM stamp Pre Rem ! Auction # 468023146

Good luck. Just saying.

 

I'm sorry, never heard of a "classic" model.

Do you mean just the standard 1895ss rifle, blued with a 22" barrel? If so, they are pretty common. I thought all the ones from the 70's had micro grove and only the later guns had Ballard rifling. Maybe someone in the 90's? I've got gone from about 1998 that has Ballard and shoots amazing.

 

I'm sorry, never heard of a "classic" model.

Do you mean just the standard 1895ss rifle, blued with a 22" barrel? If so, they are pretty common. I thought all the ones from the 70's had micro grove and only the later guns had Ballard rifling. Maybe someone in the 90's? I've got gone from about 1998 that has Ballard and shoots amazing.

Yeah, I agree Dave. I haven't heard of a 1895 "Classic". Did I miss something?
I've been collecting Marlins for quite a while now and own quite a few 1895's with 22" blued barrel, walnut pistol grip stock and ballard rifling. I always viewed this as just a (standard) "1895 45-70".
Dan

 

They do exist. I picked one up a couple of years ago. 2008 mfr date. In near mint condition. I had offered it up to another member about a week ago, but they decided not to take it. Only reason for selling was to fund a purchase of an 1895 CB that I have been drooling over for about a month. Then, just this morning my absolutely fantastic wife says, "Why don't you just go and buy that rifle you have been looking at because I know you really want it?" So, trying to work out a deal with the guy. Oh and the funding is coming out of her house remodeling account. Just have to replace it when I get my annual bonus next month. Does it get any better? Well maybe, guy just messaged back and lowered his asking price to $650 for the Cowboy.

 

Yes the 1895ss rifles from 1998 onwards were Ballard rifling. Otherwise it was the first few years in the early 70s right when the straight stock 1895 brought the 45-70 back into production. Everything in between was micro groove.

 

absolutely fantastic wife says, "Why don't you just go and buy that rifle you have been looking at because I know you really want it?"

You know you owe her big time! A surprise ticket to a day at a spa would be my recommendation, even better if a girlfriend went too! Just saying.

 

NoFear,
Well you are probably right. But most of the time when I ask her what she wants I usually get "Take me fishing". Which is such a chore LOL.

 

But most of the time when I ask her...

IMHO, back in my younger years, when I had girlfriends or wives, back when my belt size was 32 and not 38, one of the most appreciated gifts was an unexpected ticket for a day at a spa. Women just love being professionally massaged and pampered, mud spread all over, pieces of fruit and vegetables placed in strategic locations and whatnot. Like Captain Ron said, "a sailboat is like a woman, she responds to touch." Surprise her. Just saying.

Sorry to hijack this topic a bit...

 

A wife like that and a $650 cowboy??? Some guys have all the luck.

 

I'm sorry, never heard of a "classic" model.

Here you go Dave,

Marlin Classic Model 1895

It is basically the ss (safety sport) with a new monicker, gets rid of that ambiguity of SS being Stainless Steal.

 

Thanks clawed.

So is this name a Remington thing or are there older JM guns out there? Is the barrel stamped with that name? This is honestly the first time I've heard of it. I've got a JM 1895ss and love it.

 

Deleted, see post #21

 

Hmm, my 1895ss is from 1989, is not marked classic and does have Ballard rifling. I always thought the asterisks denoted Ballard rifling.

 

Actually, most of the time the asterisks were used to fill unused places in the roll marking die.

 

Deleted

 

Man what a wife that must be...!

 

I'm not sure but I know Marlin catalogs were advertising the 1895's as having Ballard rifling but they might have said choice of Ballard OR micro groove. I can't remember. Now I'm curious to know for sure what the modern Ballard rifling dates actually are?

 

I owe you all an apology, my 1895ss is not stamped microgroove, that was my 1894. Forgive my blunder, and my error.

clawed.

 

It seems Remington re-labeled them as the "Classic" version in their recent catalog.

On the history of Micro-Groove vs. Ballard, the information I mentioned in my previous post can be gleaned from these two articles, both good reads:

Marlin Microgroove Barrels

marlin history