Marlin Firearms Collectors Association

So why was the number five Ballard furnished with an attached cleaning rod and the other models were not? Were other models furnished with an "unattached" cleaning rod? Was the attached cleaning rod on the number five an option that could be declined? Finally, was the number five any more ...

Hello, Here's a question fpr the group. On my Ballard #4 there are standard and I assume custom sights. Looking in Brophy on page 138 there is listed "Rocky Mountain Rear Sight (Buckhorn)", "Beach Combination Front Sight" and "Marlins Improved Graduated Peep Sight." The...

Rick, Thank you. I took possession of this gun today and it is a real beauty. From what I see in Brophy and Flayderman this is a number "4 Perfection" in .32-40. It still has case color to it with a clean bore. It should make a good shooter, when and if I find some ammo. I need to start po...

Rick,
Except, the 1881's levers are "round"

Rick,

What date of manufacture might a Marlin Ballard Serial number 32566 suggest?

Thanks, Rich

Well Smithywess, I never noticed this before. So I went down to the basement to check this out. Yes, my 1881 Marlin has a "round" lever like Winchester and Colt and Whitney Kennedy and others. Then the 1888 Marlin has a "square" lever as does the 1889 and the 1891 and the 1892 an...

For those Marlin collectors who are looking for something truly remarkable, Cabelas is offering an 1886 lever action Marlin Rifle. Surprisingly it looks a lot like an 1881 Marlin, but of course Cabelas must know that it is an 1886. Interestingly, Cabelas says this 1886 was manufactured in 1884. Obvi...

Why octagon barrels? Why round barrels? Why half octagon half round? Were there manufacturing limitations that made one easier than another to produce? Were there ballistic differences between the two? Or was it just a personal preference thing? Often, buyers had a choice between the two; So why did...

Rick, When I created my "pre 1899 lever action wall hanging" I identified the 21 guns In this format. Example: Marlin 1889 Rifle .32-20 mfd 1891 It probably doesn't matter what I put on my photos since it is my creation, but is there a normal nomenclature? Did I leave something out? Did I ...

Rick,

You meant a "baby magazine carbine" right?

It's me again, And Cabelas yet again! Reference number 2542109, Marlin 1892 in .32 I think, serial 46772. Old guns suggest serial equals mfg date 1891. I own an 1891 that was originally identified as an 1892. I can't remember why I convinced the sellers, a reputable shop, why I was right and they we...

MCA, So I'm looking in Brophy, on page 178 and there is a picture next to Annie. The caption is written in itti bitti letters much too small for these old eyes, "MARLIN 22 CAL LOADING TUBE" and a hard to read mention of the word "Colt." Rather than reach for my magnifying glass I...

Hello.......... Cabelas is listing a Marlin model 1895 takedown with missing parts including a missing buttplate for I think way too much money, though few 95's were made. The Serial number listed is 10,XXX. well my meager reference suggests this serial was manufactured in 1885. I think I need a new...

Hello, Here's an ad from "Gunbrokers" - 'marlin/ballard 38-rf/cf 30" barrel' RF/CF, one or the other or both? How does that work? Did they reload bullets that went either way?????? No of course not, must have been some kind of mechanical changearoo, ..................Right?

Rick,

Well then they should have called it a "Marlin 1894 Baby Magazine Carbine."