Marlin 1887 38 compared to a S&W 38 DA

[Johnm1]

I'm assuming the S&W patents had expired, but this almost an exact duplicate of theS2W 38 DA. Some very minor differences. Apparently Marlin improved the ejection system. I can't tell what they did because the added screw is so buggered up I haven't been able to remove it. Also, the cylinder stop is not dropped by the rear sear leg. It appears to be actuated by the trigger. So the function of the Marlin is slightly different in half cock. In half cock the S&W's cylinder will free spin while the Marlin remains locked.

The Marlin is marked as patented in 1887 and I can only assume that the revised ejection system is what was patented in 1887. Because the rest of the revolver, save the cylinder stop, is a near duplicate of what S&W produced. I've seen a You Tube kf a guy that says he installed all of the S&W parts in a Marlin and it functioned.

Just got this one today and like one of my SW 38 DA's, it can be pushed off if I push hard enough. Top latch is vert tight and a decent bore.

On Monday I'll receive another Marlin. That one is almost a duplicate of the S&W Model 1 22 Tip Up. Marlin did change the cylinder stop to be mounted on the bottom of the frame instead of a hammer actuated cylinder stop on top of the frame that SW used.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Wow, neato! Thats a new one on me.

 

[Johnm1]

JM Marlin started with making single shot Derringers and progressed through single action then double action revolvers. The last revolver Marlin made was this model 1887 in 1899. So this model straddles the antique/modern line by 1 year. All other Marlin revolvers are antiques. Here is a recent history of Marlin firearms:

Celebrating 150 Years of Marlin Firearms - Guns and Ammo

Marlin has been in the lever-action business since 1881, but their lever-actions are only a partial picture of Marlin's heritage. In it's 150 years of continuous production, Marlin has manufactured nearly every type of firearm.

www.gunsandammo.com

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Nice acquisitions -- you've good taste!

Is the Marlin's rear sight as itty-bitty as the S&W's? That's the feature that annoys me most about the small topbreaks of this era.

 

[Johnm1]

Nice acquisitions -- you've good taste!

Is the Marlin's rear sight as itty-bitty as the S&W's? That's the feature that annoys me most about the small topbreaks of this era.

Maybe a bit smaller than the S&W. SW on the left



There was a target rear sight made for the 44 DA that incorporated an adjustment with a larger sight into the latch. I've always wondered if I couldn't modify one of the smaller ones to replicate that. Latches for the smaller SW's are plentiful though often need fitting.

 

[Johnm1]

Milled into the latch, S&W did have a target sighting system.





Could I make one from a spare latch? Maybe. It really isn't an issue on the 32's and 38's. Most are short range guns. But when I shoot them from a rest the small sights are quite suitable.

Noe I'd love to add a target rear sight to my 44 DA. I'd like to carry it as my hunting sidearm.

 

[Speedo66]

The sights on an Iver Johnson from that era weren’t any better.