Marlin 1894 serial number

[westfi1]

I have an original 1894 Marlin which I know from a factory letter was made in 1894. The serial number, however, is 107771 which seems very high for the first year of production. Apparently they didn't start with S/N 001. Does anyone know with what S/N they started in 1894 ? Thanks.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Westfi1;

Marlin stated with serial number 1 in 1881 with the Model 1881 lever action repeating magazine rifle. The serial numbers then went on from there, intermixing models up to 1916.
The date you have on your letter is not the manufacturing date, but is a shipping date. The numbers for 1894 start around 95,750. With intermixed model numbers, it is hard to search through the records to find the exact first gun shipped in a particular year. Guns were placed in a warehouse then shipped from the warehouse, and not in any particular order. There are Model 1895's listed in the records that were shipped 2 to 3 years after other guns in the same serial number area.
I hope this helps.

[westfi1]

Thanks very much, jdad !

[westfi1]

This is directed at Rick Reginier although I'm not sure how to properly contact him. I understand Rick has a copy of the Marlin factory records. I have an original Marlin model 1894 with serial number 107771, and I understand that the first '94 made was 107678. I also heard that consecutive serial numbers were not always the same model because each model did not start with 001, they were all part of the same string of consecutive serial numbers. I am trying to find out how many '94s were made before mine. Is there any way of finding out which other model or models were assigned the intervening 92 serial numbers ? It sounds like mine could either be as late as the 93rd one made or theoretically as early as the 2nd one. Thanks very much in advance for responding.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Westfi1;

Every serial number between 107678 and 107869 were Model 1894's. Serial number 107870 is a Model 1889.

[westfi1]

Thanks so much, Gunrunner - I really appreciate the info !