1889 .25-20

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Hunt4em
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1889 .25-20

Post by Hunt4em »

I seen this on Gunbrokers and I couldn't couldn't believe it! Item # 130437408. The serial # is incorrect or they left out an "X". I will let you know more when it arrives, because I was tempted! :evil: Even with only three pics and a relined barrel, I chose to roll the dice and see if it was originally chambered for .25-20. If so, That would make it 1 of only 34 made or at least 1 of the 2,268 with a 28" barrel. Any thoughts, good or bad?
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jorgy
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by jorgy »

I have seen 1889 in 25/20 over the years & most of the time they have been rebarreled!
Regnier (gunrunner)
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

John;

Know one thing about the Model 1889 in .25-20 caliber....they are ALL deluxe guns with pistol grip stocks. If this gun is not a deluxe pistol grip gun, then it is not correct!
The 1894 Marlin catalog states that the Model 1894 was not being produced in the pistol grip version just yet, and if anyone ordered a deluxe pistol grip stock gun, it would be the Model 1889, including the .25-20 caliber guns. That is the only reason you will find the Model 1889 in .25-20 caliber since it was never made in that caliber during the regular production run. The standard .25-20 caliber guns would be the Model 1894 at this time.
I have found all of the .25-20 caliber Model 1889's in the records. There are some Model 1889's stamped Model 1894 on the upper tang as well and are listed in the records as Model 1894's, so there should be more .25-20 caliber Model 1889's than Brophy lists on the book.
I hope this helps.
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Hunt4em
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Hunt4em »

Rick,
Thanks for the info! I had my doubts if it was legit. I wish I would have known all the .25-20's were deluxe pistol grips. Live and learn! I guess asking you to give me the records is a mute point, but I'm asking anyway. The serial # is 47690.
Thanks, John
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

John;

Well, it was close.....it was a .32-20 with a 28 inch octagon barrel, shipped July 15, 1891.
One more thing about the .25-20 Model 1889's, they will be later guns, with serial numbers indicating they were made during or after 1894.
The top of the barrel should have been stamped 32W, so why did the seller not mention this? If the barrel is stamped 32W, then you have a very good reason to return the gun and get your money back as it was not described correctly.
Good luck...
Due to the increasing cost of ammunition, there will be no warning shot!

The growing federal deficit = generational slavery to the national debt.

If the world was perfect.......it wouldn't be.
Hunt4em
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Hunt4em »

Rick,
I appreciate the info and I will send it back if there is any other problems with the rifle. I've already been loading the .25-20 for a couple 94's, so if it ain't too bad, at least it will be a shooter. I think if it wasn't for this site, some of us would still be sitting in the dark beating our heads against the wall! :roll:
Thanks, John
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Road King »

I was just reading this thread and remembered that I picked up an 89 a few years ago that I thought was in .25-20. I went and checked and it is pistol grip 1889 in .25-20 M. The frame, lever and cresent butt plate is nickel plated. It has 24" round barrel with full mag. I am not sure if it was rebarreled or not. Serial # is 96494.
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Regnier (gunrunner)
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

Road King;

Sorry, but your Model 1889 started life with a 26 inch octagon barrel in .32-20. It was shipped in early 1894.
Due to the increasing cost of ammunition, there will be no warning shot!

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Road King
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Road King »

I kind of thought so as the barrel address is not the same as my other 1889s.
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

Road King;

That would be correct. The Model 1889's that were made in .25-20 did have Model 1894 barrels in them, and were not marked like the Model 1889's in .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40 calibers.
As stated before, the only reason there were .25-20 caliber Model 1889's was that Marlin was not making the Model 1894 in the deluxe version and if someone wanted a deluxe gun, they were going to get a Model 1889. So, if someone wanted a .25-20 caliber, deluxe gun, they got one of the now rare .25-20 Model 1889's. ALL factory original .25-20 caliber Model 1889's are deluxe, pistol grip guns. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Due to the increasing cost of ammunition, there will be no warning shot!

The growing federal deficit = generational slavery to the national debt.

If the world was perfect.......it wouldn't be.
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Road King
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Road King »

Regnier, have you ever seen a Model 1889 in .25-20 that will letter? Would guns like mine have been sent back for rebarreling or were they just done by the local gunsmith? Has Marlin ever marked their mail ordered barrels similar to the way Winchester did?
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Regnier (gunrunner)
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

Road King;

I have seen several original .25-20 caliber Model 1889 rifles. At one time, I went through the records to find all the serial numbers of those particular guns, which is why I know all of the .25-20 caliber Model 1889's are deluxe with pistol grip stocks (besides the note in the 1894 Marlin catalog stating so).
As far as barrel changing goes, it could be done by a gunsmith or returned to the factory. Usually, if a gun was returned to the factory, a second ship date was listed for that particular serial number.
The factory would not have made up a special stamp for barrels that were shipped to gunsmiths to install. Roll dies were expensive to make, and cost of the extra roll die would not be worth it. Besides, what difference would it make, so long as the gun had a Marlin marked barrel in it. There are a number of places in the records where a serial number is listed, and all that is listed is "Trigger plate". Which means a trigger plate was shipped out to replace one that was damaged somehow. (such as maybe a horse fell on someones gun and broke the stock and trigger plate)
Due to the increasing cost of ammunition, there will be no warning shot!

The growing federal deficit = generational slavery to the national debt.

If the world was perfect.......it wouldn't be.
Hunt4em
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by Hunt4em »

I returned the rifle after receiving it two weeks ago. It had the original caliber markings milled off and was restamped. It appeared to have been done very recently as there was a burr along the edges and the end of the milled channel. The barrel also sported a very crude muzzle crown. It makes me sick to see what some people do to these old Marlins and I would like to crown them with a hammer! I won't be so quick to jump next time...maybe! :roll:
John
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Re: 1889 .25-20

Post by marlinman93 »

I've only seen one 1889 in .25-20, and it could possibly have been factory, as it was a deluxe, but since it wasn't for sale I never checked the numbers.
I've seen a number of brand new Marlin factory barrels for various early models, (a couple in shipping tubes!) and none of them had any markings different than other Marlin barrels. What always surprised me was that every one of them was blued, threaded, and chambered for a specific caliber also. I always wondered what happened if the barrels didn't headspace correctly, and had to be set back? Seems that if a person wanted a new factory barrel for their gun they would want it unchambered so it could be correctly headspaced and fitted.
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