I posted this on the other forum and there are some questions as to whether it could be legitimate and responses have dried up. The main problems people had are with the front sight and the length of the barrel being slightly over 16-inches. I think it looks like all the parts have been together forever. I don’t know how much cross pollination there is between the two forums but I would like to hear other collector’s opinions. Is there interest here or should I just stop. No hard feelings if it’s the latter. If there is interest then I can post the text and photos. Thanks!
L
1893 short barrel carbine question, if you’re willing
Moderators: Regnier (gunrunner), JohnK, Sure-Shot
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Regnier (gunrunner)
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Re: 1893 short barrel carbine question, if you’re willing
Levallois;
Pictures certainly do help, but if the serial number is within the known serial number factory records, then posting the serial number may help even more as we do have a copy of the original factory records and can look up that number.
As to the length of the barrel, except for the earliest models like the 1881 and 1888, etc. where the barrel does measure exactly to the stated barrel length, later guns, the barrel length can vary as much as 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch longer. Usually the front sight location will be a telltale indication that the barrel has been shortened, but not always. In the case of a carbine, it should have a carbine front sight that was dovetailed into the barrel and polished off smooth to the barrel contours and then the barrel finished.
Pictures certainly do help, but if the serial number is within the known serial number factory records, then posting the serial number may help even more as we do have a copy of the original factory records and can look up that number.
As to the length of the barrel, except for the earliest models like the 1881 and 1888, etc. where the barrel does measure exactly to the stated barrel length, later guns, the barrel length can vary as much as 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch longer. Usually the front sight location will be a telltale indication that the barrel has been shortened, but not always. In the case of a carbine, it should have a carbine front sight that was dovetailed into the barrel and polished off smooth to the barrel contours and then the barrel finished.
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.
The growing federal deficit = generational slavery to the national debt.
If the world was perfect.......it wouldn't be.
Re: 1893 short barrel carbine question, if you’re willing
Regnier,
Thank you for your reply - here are some info and photos
I don’t know what to make of this one. It is marked “Model 1893” on tang, it has a 16 3/16-inch barrel (measured bolt closed) in 30-30 cal. There are two screws on top of receiver. The muzzle looks unmolested. The front sight is 1 1/4-inches from the muzzle and the rear sight is 7/8-inch from the receiver. It has the “Marlin Firearms Co.” roll stamp, serial B676 and, from what I could find here, dates to 1917-1918? The serial number is on the bottom of the receiver near the forend and there are matching numbers on the side of the top tang and inside the tang groove of the buttstock. The barrel and forend have no serial number that I can find. There are no other stampings that I can see. LOP is 13 inches. Patina looks the same across the carbine and it shows considerable use like many of these do. What do you think? Could this be a legitimate short barrel carbine? Any comments, opinions, or insights will be appreciated and not taken personally.
Thank you for your reply - here are some info and photos
I don’t know what to make of this one. It is marked “Model 1893” on tang, it has a 16 3/16-inch barrel (measured bolt closed) in 30-30 cal. There are two screws on top of receiver. The muzzle looks unmolested. The front sight is 1 1/4-inches from the muzzle and the rear sight is 7/8-inch from the receiver. It has the “Marlin Firearms Co.” roll stamp, serial B676 and, from what I could find here, dates to 1917-1918? The serial number is on the bottom of the receiver near the forend and there are matching numbers on the side of the top tang and inside the tang groove of the buttstock. The barrel and forend have no serial number that I can find. There are no other stampings that I can see. LOP is 13 inches. Patina looks the same across the carbine and it shows considerable use like many of these do. What do you think? Could this be a legitimate short barrel carbine? Any comments, opinions, or insights will be appreciated and not taken personally.
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Regnier (gunrunner)
- Distinguished Expert
- Posts: 4750
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: The Sunflower State
Re: 1893 short barrel carbine question, if you’re willing
Levallois;
Definitely a factory short barrel carbine! And, you are correct about the approximate date of manufacture.
It is the correct, pinned front sight for the era, and a correct carbine rear sight.
Definitely a factory short barrel carbine! And, you are correct about the approximate date of manufacture.
It is the correct, pinned front sight for the era, and a correct carbine rear sight.
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.
The growing federal deficit = generational slavery to the national debt.
If the world was perfect.......it wouldn't be.
Re: 1893 short barrel carbine question, if you’re willing
Regnier,
Thank you very much your reply. I thought it had all the characteristics but I needed someone with more knowledge and experience to take a look.
Best regards,
L
Thank you very much your reply. I thought it had all the characteristics but I needed someone with more knowledge and experience to take a look.
Best regards,
L