Page 67 - Auction84-Book3

LOT 3072
Marlin Model 1894 Lever Action Musket with Factory Letter
- Serial no. 112236, 38-40 WCF cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
stock. Manufactured in 1894, this is one of only 152 Model 1894 rifles that was
assembled in musket configuration, of which, only 97 were chambered in .38-40 W.C.F. Over half of the
total production of Model 1894 muskets was purchased by Bureau County, examples of which are were marked “BUREAU COUNTY” on the top of the receiver. This example has had those markings removed. The top of the barrel is
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK MARLIN FIREARMS BY BROPHY
LOT 3073
Extremely Scarce, Documented Second Production Antique Marlin Model 1893 Lever Action Musket
in .32-40 Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. 130842, 32-40 cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Marlin listed the Model 1893 Musket in their catalogs from 1896 to as late as 1915. Only 31 Model 1893 Muskets are listed in Marlin’s records, of which only 22
were chambered in .32-40 caliber. In Brophy’s “Marlin Firearms,” all 31 muskets are listed by serial number and caliber as well as manufacture date on page 588. Per Brophy’s
research, this Model 1893 no. 130842 was the second Model 1893 Musket manufactured by Marlin and was the first of 19 produced on December 14, 1895. The 30 inch barrel is fitted a double
pedestal peep front sight and military ladder-type rear sight graduated to 900 yards. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Marlin address/patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight and “32-
40” at the breech. Sling mounts are on the underside of the front barrel band and frame ahead of the lever. Casehardened hammer and lever, leaving remaining metal surfaces blue. The walnut musket stock has
two barrel bands, cleaning rod mounted on the left side and carbine style metal buttplate. The accompanying factory letter confirms the musket configuration with 30 inch barrel in .32-40 caliber. The factory letter also
marked with the two-line address and patent dates in front of the rear sight and has the caliber marking at the breech. The model designation is on the upper tang and serial number on the bottom of the receiver. It is fitted with a bayonet lug blade front sight
and a folding ladder rear sight. The front barrel band is fitted with a sling swivel and the lower swivel is fitted to the bottom of the receiver in front of the trigger guard. It is mounted with a smooth musket length forearm, with cleaning rod fitted to the left, and a straight grip stock with a military style buttplate. The included factory letter confirms the
musket in .38-40 caliber and that it was completed on 21 September 1894.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue on the barrel, 75% plus on the remainder, 50% of the slightly muted original case colors with the balance mostly a smooth brown-
grey patina, and an artificial/cleaned patina on top where the Bureau County markings were removed. The reoiled wood is fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
states the musket was shipped on December 14, 1895.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 50% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance thinning and some tool-like marks on the barrel and receiver at or towards the breech. Part of the front sight is absent. Traces of original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The wood is fine with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. One of the rarest Marlin lever actions, a Model 1893 Musket is missing from even the most advanced public and private collections. A must have for the serious Marlin collector looking to complete their collection.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
65