According to the market and gun shows, every Marlin ever made ain’t made like this anymore and is the rarest.

From my limited knowledge is believe the 1894 Sporter 44 is way up there on rarity.

but I think some iteration of JM stainless guns take the cake.

 

If you google your question, there's some interesting things that pop up with several having less that 50 examples made.
This was the one with the lowest number made that I could quickly find.
Marlin Model 1893 Lever Action Rifle; Serial No. 130842; Per Included Factory Letter: Musket; 32/40 Caliber; 30” Barrel; Shipped December 14, 1895; One of 22 Made

Pretty cool stuff!

 

If you google your question, there's some interesting things that pop up with several having less that 50 examples made.
This was the one with the lowest number made that I could quickly find.
Marlin Model 1893 Lever Action Rifle; Serial No. 130842; Per Included Factory Letter: Musket; 32/40 Caliber; 30” Barrel; Shipped December 14, 1895; One of 22 Made
View attachment 965969
Pretty cool stuff!

There are few one of kinds in those old models, I have a 1893 musket in 25-36, just a few, I have a 1893 in 38-55 with 27" barrel, I think the only one and a model 1895, 40-65, with 29" barrel, also may be the only one. I've seen some other odd balls in all other models from the 1881 up to the 1895

 

Rarest isn't even a modern Marlin. It would be the Model 1889 built in .25-20 Marlin. According to records there were 25 of these made, and all sold right at the end of the Model 1889 production when the .25-20M was a brand new cartridge. And all happened to be deluxe pistol grip rifles.

 

The rarest marlin appears to be any marlin in good shape priced under $500 these days.

 

Shucks I didn’t even consider the old models, I just always think of the 1894, 1895, and 336 stuff

 

I'm just the opposite, and never think of anything after WWII.

 

How about the 336’s chambered in 307 Winchester or 250 Savage but never released ?

 

That would be the answer. 3 307's and not sure how many prototypes for the 250

 

One of the rarest I know of is the 308SDT with only 251 made.

 

Ozarks Joe - really nice Zippers!!! 3,230 reported as manufactured between 1955-59. As others have posted, some models are more rare from a numbers perspective, dating back into 19th century. In the modern era I know some Davidson editions numbered only 500 or 1000 pieces, but something like the model 56 levermatic sold by Sears was only 118, the 56DL "Clipper King" 152, and the Royal Canadian 289. The rarest Marlin levers in my collection include: 336SD in .219 Zipper (~10), 39A 90th anniversary (500), 1894 Sporter .44 magnum (1,398), and 336 Octagon .30-30 (2,414). Shoot straight, gewehr

 

Just from personal experience, the rarest Model of which I have zero in my collection, is the Model 1888. In all my years of looking, I have never held one and only saw one up for auction and it went for about 2k over my budget. About 4800 made, over 140 years ago I can only imaging how many are left. It was quickly replaced with the Model 1889 of which I only have one. That and the 1891 are the only two I have no examples of, and the Ballards but they are less rare, just more expensive.

 

Yes, those 88s are hard to come by, as well as side loader 91s. Any 88 with any non-standard options, Rare!

 

what's more rare than the 219 Zipper ?

 

pretty rare 1893 in .32/40. musta have been someones special target rifle.

 

336D ... Essentially a 336 "Guide Gun" in .35 Rem caliber

Only 1000 manufactured.

 

336D ... Essentially a 336 "Guide Gun" in .35 Rem caliber

Only 1000 manufactured.

Absolutely badass but not the rarest. You can pick one up for about $2k on the auction site.

 

i have one 1888, in 44/40. sorta an old grey dog, but it all works and bore is pretty good

 

my nicest 1891 sideloader

 

Very nice side loader hfcable.

 

Here's one for you you probably never seen I can almost guarantee it this is a 12 gauge lever action shotgun that was a concept gun to compete with the Winchester 87 never made it into production sat in a vault for 100 years until I was able to purchase it at auction

 

That’s a very cool piece of history Debsgun. I’m sure it will serve you well in the saltwater marshes this duck season!

And welcome to MO.

 

that is awesome ! you lucky dog !!!

i had read that they made at least one test gun in 20 gauge using the old 1895 action maybe, but this is just outstanding. i have a couple of the original 410 leverguns, but i i would have been all over getting this one !

congratulations !!