Hey 61,

Welcome to MO.

Good for you! An 1893 in 38-55........a real favorite!

Later, Mark

 

Welcome from NC. Can't help you too much, I am old, buy not quite that old! But, I would love to see pics of it. Sounds like a fine score.

 

Thanks guys, Im a Carolina boy myself. Located in Charlotte. Ill post some pics tonight

QUOTE=msharley;2376112]Hey 61,

Welcome to MO.

Good for you! An 1893 in 38-55........a real favorite!

Later, Mark[/QUOTE]

 

WF Sheard was indeed in both states, and did move to Washington, where he developed a number of sight designs. He didn't manufacture those designs, as he sold the rights to Marbles, who designed and marked them with his last name on the Sheard front sights.
Like most oldtime gun makers, and gunsmiths, Sheard would not have wasted money. A custom rollstamp built for him was not cheap, and no reason he would not continue to use it long after his move to Washington State. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't use it until it was damged or worn out. Which could have taken years of use to do so.
I'm puzzled that you have a factory letter from Bill Brophy stating it was shipped in 1893, but you say "everything you can find" indicates 1894 date? What is everything, and where did you find info to contradict Bill's factory information?

 

Hi 93,
The letter is from 1980. I guess Bill worked at Marlin at the time. The serial range look up on several gunsights come back with 1894. I also read a list of Marlin serials that said 90k range was last shipped in 93. If you have any info please let me know. One or the other has to be a mistake.
Thanks for the interest

 

I will post a picture of the letters tonight after work

 

I think the OP is going by the serial number. Which is listed as 1894.

But most don't know, that those numbers are just a rough guesstimate.
As Marlinman93 said, go buy what Brophy said, he had the actual records.

 

Thanks Schtoolee,
Thats great to know

 

sounds cool! patiently waiting for pics!!!

 

Shes rough but I like the ugly ducklings. She was definitely carried. The previous owner bought her in Montana about 1969. If only she could talk. Thanks for all the replies and input. I love old guns and nice to know some people appreciate them like I do.

 

Does anyone know or have a reference for how many 1893s were made first year? Ive read other models were lumped in. Winchesters have a by year total. Is there any info like that available? I dont own Brophys books, do they contain that info? Thanks again all

 

Brophy had that info on the 1881, 1888, 1889, 1891 models, but not on the 1892, 92, 1893, later renamed the 93. Also no numbers on the original 1894, or 94, 1897, 97. The 1895 has a very rough number of 5000 -6000.
And yes, the 1881, 1888, 1889, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897, all used the same serial number series of number.

 

Welcome from Rock Hill SC!!!! Can't help you on the oldsters, all of my Marlins are made within the last 40 years or so! Great "sounding" rifle!!! I'll just hang out and wait for the pics .

 

Thanks again. Im gonna order a copy of Brophy. Wish I could find that info but its amazing after all this time there is anything available.
OTE=mazer;2376595]Welcome from Rock Hill SC!!!! Can't help you on the oldsters, all of my Marlins are made within the last 40 years or so! Great "sounding" rifle!!! I'll just hang out and wait for the pics .[/QUOTE]

 

Thanks again. Im gonna order a copy of Brophy. Wish I could find that info but its amazing after all this time there is anything available.
OTE=mazer;2376595]Welcome from Rock Hill SC!!!! Can't help you on the oldsters, all of my Marlins are made within the last 40 years or so! Great "sounding" rifle!!! I'll just hang out and wait for the pics .

Look on the bottom of my post. There is a link " Finally an update serial number and Production dates", or some thing like it.
You can download the 3 sheets. The production numbers for the 1881,1888,1889,1891, are on the serial number sheet.

But the Brophy book is still worth having.

 

I see it now, thats awesome. If you guys got a nickel for every yahoo like me asking for info you'd have a a trunk load of money by now. Much appreciated

QUOTE=Schtoolee;2376617]Look on the bottom of my post. There is a link " Finally an update serial number and Production dates", or some thing like it.
You can download the 3 sheets. The production numbers for the 1881,1888,1889,1891, are on the serial number sheet.

But the Brophy book is still worth having.[/QUOTE]

 

Just posted a picture I had on my phone. Leaving work. Ill post a few more and a couple of the letters tonight

 

Its on the first posting.

 

View attachment 173500

 

View attachment 173504

 

 

 

Bill stated in his book that numbers started near 96,000 for the beginning of 1894. But as with some data in his book, this may be an error. Obviously if he looked your gun up and records reported it as being made in 1893, then I'd guess the book is in error. But it doesn't add or detract from your gun's value either way, so kind of a moot point.
I do have a question though. Does your top tang have "Model 1893" stamped on it? Most 1st year guns aren't stamped on the top tang, but your gun being very late, may or may not. I've also seen 1st year 1893's that had one piece firing pins, and wonder if you've checked yours to see? You can open the action, and turn the gun over to look at the bottom of the bolt and see if it's one or two piece firing pin.

 

No stamp on tang, also two piece pin. When i got it I took the bolt out to check everything over and was surprised. Im used to the one piece like the old winchesters (73, 76).This is actually my first old Marlin and I have alot to learn haha.

 

I sent Marlin an email, they say 1894. They did send me a copy of original owners manual if any wants me to email it to them. Ill try to post it but Im not very good with computers

 

Surprised Marlin could tell you the date, as they don't have their own records anymore. All records were sent to Cody Museum, and Marlin Collectors Assn. has a microfiche copy. From sometime around late 1894, all Marlins got the two piece firing pin assembly. Any that were repaired also got the two piece assembly. I owned a first year 1893 that had the one piece, and an 1894 carbine built in the first couple weeks of production that had the one piece.

 

This one has the hole for the screw held ejector but the newer style ejector without the hole.