Information on a Marlin Rifle dated 1893

[FlaCracker]

I would like to avail myself of the collective knowledge of this forum to find out information about a Marlin rifle I have come across with the following characteristics:
Marlin Safety,
Dated Model 1893,
Serial Number 157990
round barrel (no smokeless steel inscription),
caliber 30-30 (not confirmed as it cannot be found on the gun anywhere)
Magazine is a long tube under the barrel that accepts 10 shots.
The butt stock and the receiver are of the same Serial number.
Pictures are available but need to upload prior request and location to present the pictures.
I am particularly interested on how to determine the actual caliber of the ammo as I do not dare to insert any cartridges in the chamber without any certainty, just for safety.
The benefit of your input will be greatly appreciated and my apologies for any mistakes as this is my first posting.
FlaCracker

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

FlaCracker;

Your Marlin Model 1893 is indeed a .30-30 caliber gun. The old factory records confirm that and that it was shipped from the factory in New Haven, Ct. with a 26 inch round barrel in late 1897.

[FlaCracker]

Thank you very much, great confirmation.
And does your record show to whom and where it was initially shipped?
Also just for curiosity, would you have a way to apprise this gun to learn it value today?

[FlaCracker]

In preparation for shooting this gun, since it is so old and have not been shot for how long I do not know, I would appreciate some guidelines to determine how to proceed now before taking it to the range for testing. The gun was thoroughly cleaned, something that hadn't been done for a long time, but with a weapon this old and no history of being shot, it is always prudent to follow some safety procedures, and this is what I am requesting here .
FlaCracker

[FlaCracker]

Continuing with this topic, given how old my gun is, there is a possibility of failure in its makeup parts. So,
1) where are the owners of these guns getting parts to replace their old ones, and
2) do you know of what parts are the ones to fail the most often in these old guns?
FlaCracker

[marlinman93]

Model 1893 Marlins are very well made, and rare to ever have any broken parts. But sometimes if people dry fire their 1893 they can break a firing pin. Those can be found at places like Larry Osborn Marlin Parts, or Numrich Gun Parts, plus often used pins on Ebay.
Ejectors usually get lost instead of broken, as they simply sit in the side of the receiver, held in place by the brech bolt. So be careful not to lose it if you take the action apart for cleaning.
I would hope you reload and keep loads at a milder level than some modern hotter .30-30 loads. It can handle the modern ammo, but I prefer to only use mid level loads and cast lead bullets in mine.

[FlaCracker]

Thank you vey much for your interesting information on parts for this rifle. I followed your sellers Larry Osborn Marlin Parts, or Numrich Gun Parts, and found that Larry Osborn is not in business and Numrich Gun parts is active and their parts can be bought through Amazon but could not confirm availability for Marlin Safety Model 1893.
I have one more question. My rifle's firing pin protrudes longer than I have normally seen in other guns. Is this a problem that needs attention?
Thank you. FlaCracker

[marlinman93]

Larry is in business, and was at the CGCA show in Greeley, Co. setup and selling. His info is here in the gunsmithing section still.
Hayden, Id. 208-651-6300 or marlingunscrews@gmail.com

Tell him Vall sent you.

Any firing pin tip longer than .050" is too long, and could cause pierced primers that will result in burnt powder back at the shooter. It should be shortened at the tip, or replaced with a proper firing pin.