Model 1889

What the name implies

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Loadmaster58
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Model 1889

Post by Loadmaster58 »

I inherited an 1889 model Serial #18087 44-40 caliber with an octagonal barrel and a pistol grip. It also has some pretty intricate engraving. Possibly done by noted master engraver Conrad F. Ulrich. I am trying to research its history. Also I would like to have it repaired, it needs a new Main? spring and a new trigger spring. Can anybody help? Where do I start?
Regnier (gunrunner)
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Re: Model 1889

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

Loadmaster58;

Better re-check that serial number. Serial number 18087 is a Model 1881 in .38-55 caliber shipped in 1887. When I saw the posted number, I pretty much knew it was to low a number for a Model 1889.
So I checked number 78087 and it is a Model 1889 in .44-40 caliber with a 24 inch barrel and a short magazine tube, but no mention of a pistol grip stock, and shipped in 1892. So I checked 28087 thinking it may have been a typo hitting the 1instead of the 2 and it comes back as a Model 1889, .44-40 with a 24 inch round barrel, shipped in 1889, but again, no mention of a pistol grip stock.
If the bottom of your receiver is a bit damaged and the number hard to read, you may want to pull either the butt stock from the receiver and look at the side of the upper tang, or remove the butt plate to see a "clean" number.
Looking forward to your reply.........
Due to the increasing cost of ammunition, there will be no warning shot!

The growing federal deficit = generational slavery to the national debt.

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holmik
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Re: Model 1889

Post by holmik »

Hi everyone, I´m new to this group as I've recently bought Marlin 1889 with 28" octagonal barrel caliber 44. Could you tell me more about this gun serial number 43043 ? Year of production.

Second question - I´ve been told there were about 24000 made with 24 " barrel but only 2260 with 28" barell. Why is that? What kind of people were using longer barrel in 1890? I´m from Czech Republic - I don´t know too much about wild west so far :)

Thank you.
Regnier (gunrunner)
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Re: Model 1889

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

Holmik;

Serial number 43043 shows as a Model 1889 in .44-40 caliber with a 28 inch octagon barrel. It was shipped in mid-1891. There were 2,268 Model 1889's listed in the records with a 28 inch barrel. Of the over 55,119 (the records are incomplete as there are some blanks for which guns are known to exist) of the Model 1889's listed in the records, 45,775 show as having an octagon barrel. 20,984 were listed in the .44-40 caliber. 13,568 are listed as being shipped in 1891. The Model 1889 was produced from 1889 to 1895.
Some people ordered the longer barrel thinking it would be more accurate than the shorter barrels. It does give a longer sight radius which does contribute to better accuracy in some cases, depending upon the abilities of the shooter.
Due to the increasing cost of ammunition, there will be no warning shot!

The growing federal deficit = generational slavery to the national debt.

If the world was perfect.......it wouldn't be.
holmik
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Re: Model 1889

Post by holmik »

Hi Regnier, thank you for answer. You wrote it was shipped in mid-1981 . Do you have any record if it was made in the same year or year before? Thank you.
Regnier (gunrunner)
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Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2002 2:33 am
Location: The Sunflower State

Re: Model 1889

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

Holmik;

No, the records only reflect the year it was shipped. There may be a possibility that it was made the year before and then sat in the warehouse waiting to be shipped. Would need to check serial numbers around that number to see if any were shipped earlier.
Due to the increasing cost of ammunition, there will be no warning shot!

The growing federal deficit = generational slavery to the national debt.

If the world was perfect.......it wouldn't be.
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