Found a gem (to me at least) in the Cabelas sale rack. A Marlin 1893 .32-40 circa 1900 with the right combination of configuration/caliber/condition/price. I've casually searched for this rifle for years to replicate my Great Grandfathers deer rifle that's been passed around the family for generations (before disappearing with a cousin). My older brother was fortunate enough to take his first deer with that rifle but I was never able to get my mitts on it. This one hasn't been messed with and is all correct except possibly the front sight which is a Lyman bead. The screws are unturned and the slots are filled with old dried grease as is the nooks and crannies of the metal. The interior of the action however is free of gunk and operates crisply. The bore, while not mirror bright, is free from pitting and the rifling sharp. The stock has 116 years of bumps and bangs but no cracks and is proud of the metal. Can't wait to put a few rounds through it but ammo is hard to come by. I do have some HSM cowboy ammo on order but it's back-ordered till the end of the month. How 'bout you guys, ever try to duplicate an ancestors gun?

Nice to find a 116 year old rifle that has been taken care of.......nice grab from Cabelas.

Doc

It was nice to find one that was well used but not abused and that someone didn't feel the need to take apart with a jack knife! In that regard, this rifle doesn't replicate my great-grandfathers. During his tenure, its barrel was shortened with a hacksaw and the stock broken when he he drove off with it propped between the bumper and body of his Model A. I'm torn whether or not to "detail" clean it or just give it a good wipe down and let mellow in peace.
I felt it was a good buy when Cabelas dropped the price by almost 50%, and I paid for it with gift cards that I bought for 20% less than face value. I just sent off a check for 40 rounds of John Wayne "Duke" commemorative ammo that was priced right because the fancy box sleeves are missing. I'm hoping to ventilate a deer this fall with one of them.

I did a similar thing. My father always hunted with a 38-40. Unfortunately I did not get it when he passed. A few years ago, I found one in the back of a closet belonging to a neighbor that was moving out and selling a bunch of old rifles. It was 1906 production. and matches my 1906 SAA Colt in 38-40.

However,the stock was cracked, the barrel was terrible.I had the barrel relined by a smith up in Washington state,carved a new stock and forearm and had to replace the sights so they are not original. It's a shooter though.

Pretty cool SS. You do a nice job of carving stocks.

Nice 1893, tmitch. Think they're prettiest in just that condition shown. Have a similar 1893 in 30-30, perhaps my favorite. To me, the balance is so distinctive, takes a guy back in time. Hope you enjoy yours.

Well I finally got the "Duke" 165gr jacketed ammo and the time to touch off a couple rounds to see if it worked. I fired one round offhand at about 20 yards to see if the sights were even close. I'd say it was a good omen!


Then I backed off to about 80 yards and sitting, elbows on knees, fired 3 for effect. Not too bad considering I couldn't really see the 1" orange square over the blurry front sight. I could see the black line and held where I thought it ended. I'm pretty happy with the results, a couple notches up on the elevator and it should be good to go. Of course much more shooting is in order!