Old Marlin rifle

   / Old Marlin rifle #11  
Recently I had a problem with my old Marlin .22 and while searching around for help found the following address. I was surprised at how quickly I recieved the new manual.

To obtain an owner's manual
Please send your name and address to:
Marlin Services
P.O. Box 248
North Haven, CT 06473
Be sure to specify the model name and serial number of the specific firearms.
 
   / Old Marlin rifle #12  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If it say .32 it might be the same as the Winchester .32 special. A gunsmith can tell you that. )</font>

I'm sure you will find that to be the case.
As far as black powder - I doubt it. I have a 30-30 Marlin with the last patent date listed as 1895. It's nickel plated with octagon barrel that shoots regular ol' 30-30 shells.

Please verify ammo requirements for yourself before firing any weapon.
 
   / Old Marlin rifle #14  
I have been collecting antique lever guns for a while. Before anyone can give you any really good info we would need to determine what model rifle you have. The patent date alone is not enough. Once we have that we can tell what you have. No need for chamber impressions etc. There are several manufacturers of obsolete ammo. The 32-20 however is not obsolete. Marlin has done several special runs in that chambering and there are still revolvers chambered with the same round. Remington, Black hills, Tex X and others still load the cartridge.
 
   / Old Marlin rifle
  • Thread Starter
#15  
I have a bit more info since the last post. The gun is a model 92 and it was manufactured in about 1914. I took it to the local gun shop and they offered me any new lever Marlin I wanted in trade, so I assume it has some significant value. I found that it can us .32 colt short ammo and I got a box from them today. I'll take it to the farm this weekend and try it out.
 
   / Old Marlin rifle #16  
I am a little confused on the 32 colt ammo. If your gun is a 32 centerfire then it should take 32-20 rounds. The Winchester and Marlin 32 are the same round with a very slightly different bullet. If its a 32 rimfire then I would want a second opinion if it is safe to shoot 32 colts. How is the caliber stamped on your gun?
Here is some base info on the 1892 Marlin.

Made 1895-1916. Total estimated 45,000
Upper tang marked model 1892 later changed to Model '92. Receiver blued.
Barrel lengths 24, 26 and 28 round, octagon or half octagon. Half and full magazines.
22 rimfire, 32 rimfire, 32 centerfire
SN range 90000 to 412000 overlapping with other models. Some have A C or D prefixes from 1912-1915.
Crescent style buttplates.
Special order features were available including a case colored receiver. No take down versions were made.
In Excellent condition a standard gun would be worth around $1000.

At the very least if you have a 32 rimfire I would want to know what the groove diameter of your barrel is Vs. the diameter of the lead on the 32 rounds you have bought before firing the gun. Especially if you were sold the 32 colts by the same shop that tried to "trade" you guns.
 
   / Old Marlin rifle #17  
My "other" business is firearms, I now mainly do estate liquidations and that involves firearm appraisals.

The Marlin Model 1892 rifle was a special order firearm and the production run during it's lifetime was relatively small (the 45,000 number mentioned above is what my sources say). It's actual value will depend on many factors but is probably in the $500-$800 range if it is shootable and not a rust bucket.

However, I would not even attempt to shoot it until I had a competent gunsmith check it out. He will be able to tell you if the ammunition you have is safe to fire in that old firearm. I would rather be safe than sorry.

MadReferee, owner
Perham Corner Competition Services
Specializing in Estate and Collection Liquidations
Firearms Services since 1984
 
   / Old Marlin rifle
  • Thread Starter
#18  
I got the trade offer from one gun shop and the ammo from a different gunshop. Gunsmith looked at it and said it has the firing pin for centerfire ammo. He said the gun is in very good shape and can use .32 short or long ammo. No one he knows of makes .32 long so the short is what I have to use. We loaded the gun and ejected the carterage without firing it and all went smoothly. I'll that it to the range next week when the 24" of snow melts and give it a try.
 

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