Marlin Model 1888
Marlin Fire Arms Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1888
Also known as: Marlin 1888
Overview
The Marlin Model 1888 is a lever-action repeating rifle produced by the Marlin Fire Arms Company. Designed chiefly by Lewis Hepburn, it was a short-action, top-ejecting lever gun built around the pistol-length Winchester centerfire cartridges (.32-20, .38-40 and .44-40). Compared with the earlier Model 1881 it used a shorter lever throw suited to the compact WCF rounds and added a locking lug to secure the breech. Fed from a tubular magazine through a side loading gate, the standard rifle wore an octagonal barrel, buckhorn rear and blade front sights, a blued finish with case-colored hammer and lever, and a varnished walnut stock.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1090 mm (42.91") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Lever Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Muzzle Velocity | 380 m/s (1247 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 935 J (690 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .44-40 Winchester · primary — also known as .44-40 WCF, .44 WCF
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Top Ejection, Locking Lug Breech, Tubular Magazine, Loading Gate, Octagonal Barrel, Buckhorn Rear Sight, Case Colored Hammer
Service history
Operators
- American civilian and frontier market · adopted 1888
Production
Estimated total produced: 4,800 · Production years: 1888-1889
Fewer than 5,000 made; approximately 1,727 chambered in .44-40 Winchester.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Lewis Hepburn
Discontinued: 1889
Notes
Produced only across 1888 and 1889 (roughly 4,800 rifles), the Model 1888 was a short-lived transitional design quickly superseded by the side-ejecting Model 1889. About 1,727 examples were chambered in .44-40. Round barrels and other special-order options were offered.
Background
The Model 1888 marked Marlin's pivot toward John Marlin's signature solid-top, side-ejecting actions. Lewis Hepburn's short-throw design was rapidly replaced by the improved Model 1889, which moved ejection to the side and became the template for Marlin's famous later lever guns.