Neat toy. Great deal. I would keep it as is.

 

Keep it just as it is ! If you want a newer pretty one get one.

 

I agree. Oil it and keep it original

 

Here’s mine. Started life as a 25-20 custom order from Marlin with a 28” octagon barrel. At some points in its 120 year life, it was devoted to 32-20. Shoots good. The patina adds character. Rifling looks nice on yours. Leave it as is and enjoy………if you find some 32-20 brass, let us know lol.

 

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Here’s mine. Started life as a 25-20 custom order from Marlin with a 28” octagon barrel. At some points in its 120 year life, it was devoted to 32-20. Shoots good. The patina adds character. Rifling looks nice on yours. Leave it as is and enjoy………if you find some 32-20 brass, let us know lol.

Boy I like that long barrel on yours. I'll bet it's quiet with moderate loads.
I didn't like the longer octagon barreled (>20") Win 1873's and 1886's I've handled, they tend to be very front heavy and cumbersome, but this Marlin 1894 with a 24" octagon barrel is noticeably lighter than the 1873 I have in the same caliber with a 20" octagon barrel. The Marlin feels like a lighter profile though I haven't directly compared.

Brass is available but it isn't cheap. I bought 250 cases from this guy, and all I can say is I paid, they were shipped as soon as the seller received payment, and I did indeed receive what I paid for in a well packaged shipment.
Starline 32-20 Winchester Brass for sale (gunsinternational.com)
I have some on backorder at some site, Opticsplanet I think, says they are shipping in the middle of January, but they have been pushing the shipping date back since I put the order in six months ago.

 

Midway had some 32-20?? waiting on my shipment.

 

That is nice. it's in good shape. Don't restore.. keep orginal.

 

Please keep it the way it is. I have the identical rifle. Mine was made in 1901. The previous owner had it professionally restored. I think that actually detracted from it's value.

It is beautiful and shoots an honest 3-4" group regularly at 100 yards. I love it, it is my favorite Marlin.

I kinda wish it looked like yours honestly.

 

Great looking rifle. The important stuff is all intact on yours. It should be straightforward to fix the cracks and splits in the wood.

She is yours to do with as you like, but a "like new" restoration with case hardening on the receiver, lever, and butt plate will cost you several times more than what you paid for her. While it's not the only consideration, you are highly unlikely ever to recoup your costs to do that. Regardless of how good it looks, it will never have the value of an original in much less pristine condition. If you do go that route, I suggest TURNBULL RESTORATION their color case work is amazing.

Is there more to the story or its history that we haven't heard? Was it an heirloom in the family of a relative or very good friend that you want to remember, or want to honor? Is there provenance or connection to a well known historical figure?

As suggested above, you would be (financially) better off to buy a second one, in original condition, as a collector.

Consider also, that you are more likely to shoot and enjoy this one, and even hunt with it, than one all gussied up that you don't want to scratch the metal, or dent the wood.

But as I said, she's yours to do with as you like.

Personally, I'd do what is needed to keep her reliably running and shooting. And keep her well earned appearance the way it is.

 

It's your Marlin and your money!
I would leave it as is! That's my opinion! Thanks for the pictures

 

Great looking rifle. The important stuff is all intact on yours. It should be straightforward to fix the cracks and splits in the wood.

The bones of the rifle are good. The metal is all there, the flats and edges on the barrel aren't too dinged up, there's no significant pitting or rust. The forearm is good, but the stock has been split in half and reglued at some point, with slivers and chunks missing out of the split, and one of the wrist corners. It's solid but wasn't done very well and doesn't look very good. If I had the option of just replacing the stock i'd take it, but I can't find a vintage stock and it probably wouldn't fit right if I could.

She is yours to do with as you like, but a "like new" restoration with case hardening on the receiver, lever, and butt plate will cost you several times more than what you paid for her. While it's not the only consideration, you are highly unlikely ever to recoup your costs to do that. Regardless of how good it looks, it will never have the value of an original in much less pristine condition. If you do go that route, I suggest TURNBULL RESTORATION their color case work is amazing.

Wise advice. I have patina'd guns though, and this one has no particular story behind it or history that I'm aware of. I think a Turnbull refinish and restock would be much more visually appealing than what it is now, but that's certainly a personal opinion. It does have appeal the way it is now, but the stock damage just kills it for me.

Is there more to the story or its history that we haven't heard? Was it an heirloom in the family of a relative or very good friend that you want to remember, or want to honor? Is there provenance or connection to a well known historical figure?

Not as far as I know, though I wish. Just threw a bid in on an auction with bad photo's that wasn't seeing any action.
Marlin Model 1894 Made In 1897 No Ffl Needed .32-20 Win. For Sale at GunAuction.com - 17321029
Now you know as much as I do.
I'll look into maybe getting a factory letter if there is shipping information available from Marlin, to make sure it wasn't shipped somewhere or to someone notable.

As suggested above, you would be (financially) better off to buy a second one, in original condition, as a collector.

So just keep this one like it is and buy a Turnbull finished modern production 1894? I like how that sounds.

Consider also, that you are more likely to shoot and enjoy this one, and even hunt with it, than one all gussied up that you don't want to scratch the metal, or dent the wood.

But as I said, she's yours to do with as you like.

Personally, I'd do what is needed to keep her reliably running and shooting. And keep her well earned appearance the way it is.

We'll see how I feel after I see how she shoots!

 

Let us know how she shoots.

If the wood repair is more than you care to tackle, consider asking MO member rjtmac for an opinion.

He regularly publishes reports on his repairs and restorations of fire arms. His work is awesome! Not sure where you are, but he's in TX.

For your reference, old ones in great condition do turn up from time to time. Like this one. Keep your eyes open.

Marlin 1893 32-20

 

Nice 32-20. I use 32-20 brass to make 310 cadet brass for my Martini. Any of you guys have a Marlin Musket? Would love to see some photos. Never seen one in the wild. I thought about building a faux Marlin Musket at one time. I have a Winchester 1873 musket from 1891, a uberti 1866 musket, a faux 1873 Spanish Contract Carbine and a 1876 NWMP Carbine. Like those military/police leverguns. Need an 1895 Russian musket too.

 

IMO you did really well on that purchase. Good for you!

 

Clean, oil , shoot, that's all I'd do.

 

Ditto!

 

Looks like it's in good shape to me! I'd shoot it as is.

 

I look at that rifle and ask, " If that rifle could talk?" Once its refinshed I would no longer look at it and ask that question. My way of suggesting to keep it as is.

 

From your post on another forum I was going to suggest you visit here.

 

I’d clean it and shoot it like it is. If you can find a person with a stock duplicator you could have them use your stock for a pattern. Then you could fit the new stock and save the original.

 

I'm pretty much in the same camp as those who have said to leave it as is, as long as it's safe to shoot. Once you "burn the book," the story ends. Clean it up and let it pick up where it left off.

 

I don't see any mechanical issues with the gun, I took it down and lubed it up, everything looked fine. I'll be running some rounds through it this weekend. Loads will be a 93gr cast lead bullet over 9.5gr 4227, which is a mild load for my 1873. Ifthat old toggle action can take it I don't think the Marlin will have a problem, though it doesn't say "smokeless" on the barrel or anywhere on the gun.

Here are better pics of the stock and remaining cch. The stock was repaired with pegs, and a brass screw.

Allright you all have convinced me to keep it original and enjoy it for what it is.

 

Well, I took it out and tried to run a few rounds through it yesterday, and no bueno. 2nd round caused a major jam with the lever stuck in the open position, requiring me to disassemble the gun to clear once I got it home. Upon closer inspection, there is a dent worn into the angled surface on the underside of the carrier that the internet is telling me causes jams, so from what I can tell I need a new carrier.

I'll have to make up some dummy rounds tonight and see if I can't tell exactly what is going on.

 

I am working on repairing one made in 1897. (SN 148xxx) Could you remove the loading gate and take a picture of the back of it. I am having issues when the ammo is pushed in, it will immediately go back onto the carrier and jam a second round from being fed into the mag.

 

...Could you remove the loading gate and take a picture of the back of it...

This is an old thread, and the OP hasn't been back to the forum in almost a year - he won't see your question. Best to start a new thread.

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