Marlin Pump 12 ga. Model 1894

Winchester · April 14

Good day gents, I recently was given a Marlin Model 1894 open hammer shotgun. It's fairly worn and the forend pump is cracked, but the gun operates fine. I haven't fired it and don't intend to. I'm wondering about the engraving on the receiver tho. One side has ducks in flight and the other has pheasants. It's very nice and I'm wondering if this is something rare of special. Serial number is 21704, which puts it somewhere between 1900 and 1920 I believe.

Elk creek · April 14

Some of those old Marlins came engraved as a model upgrade. You may want to research that shotgun but I’m pretty sure they are generally not safe to shoot with modern ammo. Cool guns though.

Big Al1 · April 14

Well, the first Marlin pump shotgun with an exposed hammer was the model1898 made until 1905.
I believe the 1894 is the patent date for the design, by L.L. Hepburn.
There are nine other Marlin exposed hammer shotgun models made until 1925.
I found reference to the same style engraving on another Marlin shotgun model. It was done by George Ulrich who was the Marlin factory engraver at that time.
Hard to tell how many were engraved, but I would say, not many!!
It's hard to date older Marlins, the serial number records between about 1906 and 1920 were destroyed by fire.

Would love to see some pics!!

Here's a little more info I found: (22) Marlin 1898 hammer shotgun help | Marlin Firearms Forum (marlinowners.com)

Winchester · April 15

Here it is, hope the pics upload OK...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030353/uploads/editor/9k/926hy297w2hk.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030353/uploads/editor/1e/i5je24tkr7cz.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030353/uploads/editor/au/ahsf7b1vga1f.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030353/uploads/editor/to/fm468ilg2z9y.jpg

sakodude · April 15

Can't help with any info but that is a cool old shotgun you have there.

sakodude · April 15

Any patent date marked on the barrel? My marlin reference suggests that may be the best way to identify the model.

Winchester · April 15

PAT'D NOV 6, 1894, MAY 12, 1896, JUNE 2, 1896

sakodude · April 15

Winchester said:

PAT'D NOV 6, 1894, MAY 12, 1896, JUNE 2, 1896

that narrows it down to a model 1898 or model 16 per the book.

sakodude · April 15

Unless it's a 16 gauge, it's a model 1898 as far as I can tell comparing your pic the the sketches in the book. The model 16 was only in 16ga.

sakodude · April 15

This is the book I’m referencing.
not sure why the pic is not showing up but is called:
Marlin Firearms, a history of the guns and the company that made them.
By LT. COL. William S. Brophy, USAR,RET.

Winchester · April 15

Strange, it doesn't say anywhere on this thing what gauge it is? If it's a 16, a 12 ga. shell shouldn't fit in the magazine would it? 12 ga. slides right in.

sakodude · April 15

should be marked on the left rear of the barrel.

Wambli Ska · April 15

Very cool old gun!

CHIRO1989 · April 15

I like the styling, I would check the chamber, not the magazine, to see if a 12 vs. 16 ga will fit

Jayhawker · April 15

Also worth checking the chamber length...the odds of finding a short-chamber in a shotgun of that vintage is high. Chamber length was not standardized at 2 3/4" until 1926...