Frankengun: Marlin 1893 with Winchester Barrel

[Redcoat3340]

I'd like to get a lever gun 'cause they're iconic, I don't have one and 'cause I'm probably going to ditch my only semi-auto rifle, an M&P AR-type sports model, (Washington state is probably going to pass a "referendum" to classify all semi auto long guns as "assault weapons" and I'd rather not have to register anything. I don't shoot it that often so it's no big loss in terms of what's in the safe. Don't get me started on the loss of freedom this entails).

So I went into my LGS and he had a bunch of different ones both new and used from Winchester, Henry, and Marlin in a bunch of different calibers. I didn't like the short stocks on some; don't need a short barrel as I'm not hunting in brush with it; would like to keep it in 30/30 (or 357/38 sp if I can find one) and my budget ain't the $2,000 some of the 94's had on their price tag. More like $500.

There was one gun that met all my needs: a Marlin 1893 in 30/30 for $475. Stock was in good shape (maybe refinished) and the right length; receiver in nickel plate and nice, and a blued barrel with WINCHESTER on it! Clearly someone had replaced the original tube with a Winchester.

Which for me isn't a deal killer.

But I would like to hear some opinions on that....and perhaps some other suggestions about a decent lever gun in 30/30, I'll be looking on Gunbroker, on our local Armslist, post in some of the local gun forums, check out a few other gun stores....but I should get a fair price if I do a trade, plus I'll advertise it for sale and I like doing business with this guy.

A "cowboy" lever gun In 357/38 would be nice as I now have two single action pistols in .38 (Pietta 1873 SAA and Uberti 1860 open top). But it looks like the cowboy action models all go for $700 -800, which is too pricey for my needs.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Slamfire]

I am going to say that an M1893 rifle is a rare rifle. They were made in 30-30 Winchester, might have called it 30-30 Marlin at the time. If someone wanted a Winchester barrel on their rifle, well, so what. You can bet when the new barrel was put on, no one thought the rifle had any collector value. Maybe the original caliber was something else, 38-55 or another period cartridge, and someone later wanted a 30-30.

A shooting rifle is different from a collecting rifle. If the rifle is not pristine, all that would matter to me is whether the rifle was in good mechanical condition, safe to shoot, and that the interior of the barrel is excellent. If it is to be a shooter, and it shoots good, then it is good.

You would have to look it up, but I think the M1893 was made till the change over in 1948. If it has a 1930's receiver, the steel is good. I am not very positive about WW1 or pre WW1 steels. But WW2 era steels, they are just fine.

 

[Redcoat3340]

"A shooting rifle is different from a collecting rifle. If the rifle is not pristine, all that would matter to me is whether the rifle was in good mechanical condition, safe to shoot, and that the interior of the barrel is excellent. If it is to be a shooter, and it shoots good, then it is good."

My thought exactly. I have a number of "shooter" grade guns that don't qualify as museum pieces but I find interesting and a bunch of fun to shoot. (S&W 38/44 HD, Walther P1 instead of P38, a reblued S&W Victory, etc.)

I didn't have enough time to really inspect it and the owner was off today. I'll see him tomorrow, get more details, take a few pictures and make a decision.

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[Salmoneye]

Marlin 1893 changed to Model 93 somewhere in the teens...Should be on the upper tang...

Model 93 was made till the Model 36 (1936)...

Model 36 till 1948...

 

[Bushpilot]

I'd have to see this rifle in person or at the very least a couple pictures to really know where I'd stand on this.. What else does the barrel say on it besides WINCHESTER? My initial thoughts are questions concerning how well the mag tube, barrel and fore arm all fit together. I'd also need a functional guarantee from the LGS. I have an original Marlin 1893 and part of the draw for me is that it's a nice, old, "iconic" original rifle. Unless there is something else especially unique about it I'd have to say that I'd much rather have a run of the mill Marlin or Winchester 30-30 or Rossi 357 than a 100 plus year old Franken-lever gun. Without seeing the rifle $475 also sounds too high...

 

[bannockburn]

Redcoat3340

Unless there is something else especially unique about it I'd have to say that I'd much rather have a run of the mill Marlin or Winchester 30-30 or Rossi 357 than a 100 plus year old Franken-lever gun. Without seeing the rifle $475 also sounds too high...

My thoughts exactly! A few years back I had a yen for a lever action rifle (had a Marlin 336 but had to sell it to pay for school). Came across two guns at a gun show: one was a slightly used Winchester Canadian Centennial Model 94 in .30-30 (really decent price as it had nothing going for it as a collector's gun), and a used (but LNIB), Rossi M92 in .45 Colt with a 16" barrel and the large loop lever. Price on either gun was under $400. Since the Rossi had a much more practical value to it for me (I also have three single action revolvers in .45 Colt), that was the one I went with.

If it were me I would wait and see if a used (there doesn't seem to be any new ones available at this time), Rossi M92 carbine in .357 shows up somewhere (local gun shops, local gun shows, online auctions), and go with that.