1893 Marlin and modern cartridges

[terry gerros]

Hello,
This is my first post and I hope this is a reasonable question to ask....I just acquired an 1893 Marlin lever gun which has Special Smokeless Steel stamped on the barrel. The serial number is 105*** which I believe equates to an 1894 manufacture date. Of course I am itching to shoot this rifle and have purchased a box of Black Hills 38-55 Win Cowboy Action Ammunition, 255 grain lead flat nose cartridges. After finding the manufacture date, I got a bit concerned about using this ammo. The rifle seems to be solid and the lever action is tight. Are these cartridges safe to shoot in this rifle? I have posted on another forum and some say its ok to use others say to do more homework. Any and all advice is appreciated.

[cj57]

those Blackhills 38-55s are fine as long as your gun is in good shape. Most factory 38-55 ammo is loaded around black powder velocity

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Terry;

Interesting that your rifle has a Special Smokeless Steel barrel in a gun shipped in 1894. Smokeless powder did not come out until 1895. Apparently, your rifle was returned to the factory for a new barrel at some time. Before 1895, the Model 1893 was available in .32-40 and .38-55 calibers only. Which is a good thing that your rifle is a .38-55 caliber.
Does your rifle have a screw in he left side of the receiver, about mid-point, just above the trigger strap? This screw was added to the Model 1893 after smokeless powders with higher pressures came out. Marlin added the screw to help strengthen the trigger strap and lever from the affect of the higher pressures developed by smokeless powder.

[terry gerros]

Hi
Sorry for the late reply, I'm not sure about the screw positions on the receiver. I handed my gun over to a gunsmith to go through it almost 3 weeks ago and don't have it back yet. I'll wait until after Thanksgiving to go fetch it. Have to say, I miss the old bird and would like to have her home. I got the date of manufacture from Marlin, an actual copy from their book. August 11, 1894 is the date. Terry

[Winston Wolf]

terry,

where is this "Marlin Book" ? I have a similar rifle that i want to find out more info about.