Marlin Model 1891
| Marlin Model 1891 | |
|---|---|
| Type | rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Marlin Firearms Company |
| Developed into | Marlin Model 1892 |
| Unit cost | $18 (MSRP in 1891) |
| Produced | 1891–1897 |
| No. built | 18,650 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | varied |
| Cartridge | rimfire or centerfire |
| Caliber | .22 rimfire; .32 caliber rimfire; .32 caliber centerfire; .25 caliber; .38 caliber |
| Barrels | octagonal-rifled or round-rifled blued steel; 20 inches (0.51 m) to 40 inches (1.0 m) length |
| Action | lever |
| Feed system | side loaded magazine (first variation); tube-loaded magazine (second variation) |
| Sights | iron sights (buckhorn rear sights; spear front sight) |
The Marlin Model 1891 is an American lever action repeating rifle that was produced by the Marlin Firearms Company from 1891 until 1897. It was the first in a lineage of Marlin rifles built upon its design (followed by the Model 1892, Model 1897, and Model 39).
Design and characteristics
[edit]General
[edit]The Model 1891 is a repeating rife with a lever action.[1][2] The Marlin 1891 has been described as handsome, looking like a smaller-sized version of the larger-caliber guns contemporary to the time of its manufacture.[3] It can be taken down.[3]
Barrel lengths of Model 1891s range between 20 inches (0.51 m) and 40 inches (1.0 m).[2] The most common barrel length for the Model 1891 was 24 inches (0.61 m). The most common barrel shape was with octagonal rifling,[4] though it was also manufactured with a round barrel.[2] The overall length (OAL) of Model 1891s varied, as did weight. A 24 inches (0.61 m) Model 1891 would standardly weight 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg).[2]
The first variation of the Model 1891 was side-loaded, while later variations were tube-loaded.[4] The first variation's side-loading was the only Marlin manufactured rimfire lever-action that had a side-loading design.[3] The tube-loading system on the second and third variation Model 1891s featured a two-piece magazine tube (with an inner and outer tube) loaded through the front end. This tube-loading design became common in many subsequent .22 rimfire rifles of the era.[3]
The standard finish of the Model 1891 is blued. Its hammer, lever, steel buttplate are case hardened.[4][5] Its stock is made of American walnut.[4] The safety of the Model 1891 is a sear safety system on its lever action,[4] which (when engaged) impedes movement of its hammer.[2] Model 1891s standardly have iron sights with an adjustable buckhorn rear sight and a spear front sight.[2] Model 1891s had a length of pull (LOP) of 13-3/8".[2]
Manufacturer customizations were offered, including plating, engraving, upgraded stocks, as well as varying barrel lengths shapes.[2] Receivers and pistol grip stocks could be special ordered that were case colored.[5]
The uses for Model 1891s are hunting small game and target shooting.[2] In its 1892 catalogue, Marlin recommended the firearm for farmers, advertising that short cartridges were appropriate for small game and long cartridges would "kill hogs or beef very handily."[5] Thousands of Model 1891s remain in use, a credit to its simple design and durable construction.[3]
Main variations
[edit]Three iterations of Model 1891s were produced. The earliest-produced Model 1891s are referred to as "first variation" Model 1891s. These differed from later iterations, being side-loaded.[4][6] First variation Model 1891s were only manufactured in .22 caliber chambering, and were marked with "Marlin Fire-Arms Co. New Haven, Ct. U.S.A./Pat'd Nov.19.1878. April 2.1889. Aug.12 1890" on its barrel.[7] The first variations also featured a solid-toped frame with "Marlin Safety" marked on it,[1][7] a side-ejecting receiver, and side-loading gate.[1] [7] The first variation also featured a shortened magazine tube.[6] Serial numbers of first variant Model 1891s have been reported as between 47,889 and 77,943. However, did not have a separate series of serial numbers for different models, so it is difficult to verify an exact range of serial numbers.[5]
The second iteration, referred to as "second variation", shifted the gun's design from a side-loaded firearm to a tube loaded firearm.[4] These were marked with ""Marlin Fire-Arms Co. New Haven, Ct. U.S.A./Pat'd Nov.19.1878. April 2.1889. Aug.12 1890. March 1,1892" on the barrel.[7] This was manufactured with diversity in chambering.[8]
Later models are referred to as "third variation". These featured tangs.[8]
Chambering, ammunition
[edit]The most common chamberings for the Model 1891 were .22 caliber and .32 caliber.[4][2] Model 1891s were also manufactured chambered for .25 caliber and .38 caliber.[2]
The first variation of the Model 1891 was only manufactured in .22 caliber.[7] Model 1891s in .22 caliber chambering were only manufactured for rimfire cartridges (such as .22 Long Rifle).[2][4] The Model 1891 was the first lever-action rifle to be chambered in .22 long rifle (.22 LR).[1] Model 1891s chambered in .22 caliber were able to fire .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 LR cartridges interchangeably;[4] with the Model 1891 being the first repeating rifle capable of interchangeably accepting these cartridges.[7]
Model 1891s in .32 caliber were manufactured either to fire rimfire ammunition (such as .32 Remington) or centerfire ammunition.[4][2]
Model 1891s had a capacity of 14 to 19 rounds.[2]
The Model 1891 was the first rimfire rifle to be manufactured by the Marlin Firearms Company.[9] It was also first rifle by the company to be manufactured in a .22 caliber chambering.[1][2]
Production history
[edit]The Model 1891 was designed by Lewis Hepburn.[2][8] The gun was introduced with other popular firearms chambered in .22 caliber, hence why it was initially only manufactured chambered in that caliber.[5] Model 1891s were manufactured from 1891 until 1897.[6][7] Its manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) in 1891 was $18 USD.[2]
Approximately 18,650 units were manufactured.[4][7] Approximately 5,000 were first variants.[6][7]
Lineage of subsequent firearms
[edit]The Marlin 1891 the first in a lineage of subsequent Marlin rifles adapted from its design. Marlin rifles which descended from it included the Model 1892, Model 1897, and Model 39.[3][10][11] Between the Model 1891 and these subsequent firearms, millions of units were sold.[11]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "Marlin Model 1891". FirearmLand. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Crawford, Scott (July 23, 2021). "The History of the Marlin 1891 Rifle". 1895Gunner. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Woodard, Todd (June 10, 2013). "Working the Marlin Model 1891 .22 Lever-Action". Gun Tests. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Marlin Model 1891". Book of Gun Values. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Model 1891". Precision Gunstocks. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Marlin 1891". Gun Critic. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Marlin Firearms Co. Model 1891 Lever-Action Rifl". Gun Values by Gun Digest. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Marlin 1891 Rifle with Rare 28" Special Order Barrel". Antique Arms, Inc. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Lever-Action". Marlin Firearms. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Shooting the Breeze: The Marlin Model 39". Blue Mountain Eagle. July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- 1 2 "The German Rifle That Changed Bolt-Action Design Forever". History Computer. August 4, 2026 – via AOL.com.