The History of Marlin Firearms Model 1895

MARLIN FIREARMS MODEL 1895

1 8 9 5 G U N N E R.C O M

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1st Model 1895	New Model 1895	Model 1895	Model 1895G

Model 1895GS	Model 1895M	Model 1895MR	Model 1895XLR

Model 1895SBL	Model 1895GBL	Model 1895 Cowboy Action	Model 1895 Dark

Model 1895TSBL	1895 Modern Hunter	Model 1895 Cowboy	Model 1895MXLR

Model 1895GSBL	Model 1895 Limited	Model 1895GST Talo

The first Marlin model 1895’s were manufactured and initially listed in their catalog in 1896. The lowest model 1895 serial number was 131,180 – built Nov. 27, 1895. The first rifles were chambered in .38-56, .40-65, .40-82, .45-70 & the .45-90. In 1897 the .40-70 WCF cartridge and in 1912 the .33 WCF cartridge were added to the model 1895 list of calibers. The rifle was available as a carbine, round barrel rifle, half-octagon or full octagon rifle, and a lightweight rifle. The rifles were available in straight-grip or pistol grip and takedown styles. Weights varied between 7 & 9-1/4 lbs.

The standard 1895 rifle was fitted with a rifle butt plate. A rubber butt plate would be furnished at the same price as the steel type. With a rubber butt plate, the rifle weighed one-eighth pound less. The standard receiver finish of the carbines and rifles was case hardened. If special ordered, the receiver would be furnished with a blued finish at no additional cost. Through those early years the barrel lengths made available were 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, & 15 inches. Additional length barrels were available at $1.00 per inch. It's also important to note that all pre 1972 1895's utilized the closed bolt like today's model 1894's. The standard carbine had a sling ring on the left side of the receiver. In 1903, two holes for the Hepburn receiver sight were drilled & tapped into the top of the receiver.

In 1912, Marlin introduced their first smokeless cartridge in .33 high power. All of these new rifle barrels were so marked special smokeless steel on the left side. They were priced at $18.50 or $22 for the takedown model. The final Marlin model 1895 was manufactured in 1917 with a gap until 1972 when the rifle was re-introduced as the New Model 1895. The 1st models in 1972 sold for $185 U.S.

Model 1895 available from 1972 - 1980 (Straight Stocked with squared lever)
Model 1895S available from 1981 - 1984 (The 1895S included a pistol grip stock with a rounded lever)
Model 1895SS available from 1984 - 1988 (The 1895SS started in 1984 when the CBS was added, all other features remained the same as the 1895S)

Marlin produced firearms in Connecticut since 1870 when founded by John M. Marlin. They closed their plant in North Haven Connecticut in June, 2011 terminating all 265 employees. This ended the “JM” Marlin firearm. When Marlin moved to New York to be manufactured under the Remington umbrella the serial numbers all started with MR indicating a new factory, new employees, new machinery and many new problems. The catalog offering dropped from 29 lever-gun models down to 18 in 2012.

Quality was a huge issue between 2012 & 2017 albeit getting better each year as time went by. As of early 2020 almost ten years later the product that Remington owned Marlin delivered was nearing top notch for a production lever action rifle. Of course shortly after reaching this pinnacle they filed bankruptcy and were eventually sold off to Ruger. Now a much awaited chapter unfolds soon as Ruger owned Marlin readies their production lines in Mayodan, NC. Welcome back Marlin!

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