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Picked up this Marlin 1895 made in in 1972 condition is 95% or better, it appears unfired, no box, highly figured wood, round barrel, and appears to be micro grooved, serial # is B009xxx, any info would be greatly appreciated current value, should it be kept as a safe queen in this condition? Load data for jacketed and Cast.Attachment 300828
Why would you want to throw it in a safe? The only "safe queens" I have are there because I have too many rifles to shoot all of them on a timely basis. I have 5 1895's and they all get shot and hunted with. Yes, they may be worth a lot of money, but they are worth much more to me when I can grab one and remember the animals I've shot with it.
I generally shoot two loads, both using 405 cast bullets. The first is Elmer Keiths classic 53.0 3031 and 27.5 2400 for close range (<50 yards) hog shooting and plinking. BOTH shoot less than MOA for me in both the microgroove and ballard rifling.
Personally not much on safe queens I do have a couple a first gen BP SAA colt Army issue 3 digit serial number and a 1886 Win 45/90 TD both inherited.Quote:
Originally Posted by stubshaft
Gave 700.00 for the 1895 already ordered a mold for the 1895. MP Bullet Mold - 45/70 Govt - 462 Hammer Hollow Point -PlainBase- 2 Cavity Brass. Should drop in the 315 gr to 325 gr weights depending on which pins I use for the Hollow point Small or Large. already have a Lyman 405 and Lyman Postell 535 for the Sharps
Being a B00 SN# should be a 1st year gun with the Douglas barrel and non micro groove rifling. Nice score.
Have the sister gun to yours. Just be cautious of the recoil with that thin curved butt plate.
With a 300 to 405 grain bullet of your choice and 12 grains of Unique the curved buttplate shouldn't be a problem. Should kill anything you might encounter in North America also.
Enjoy your rifle!
Rick
I concur. The ever-so-slight curvature to the buttplate is another giveaway for early production, in addition to the B-prefix. The bore should have eight lands and grooves. Wonderful find!Quote:
Originally Posted by hawkenhunter50
Noah
I'm not sure why an 1895 Marlin made in 1972 would have a letter prefixing the serial number. A few 1972 1895's had the eight groove rifling but that same year (according to Brophy's book) the transition was made to the 12 groove (micro) rifling. My 1895, which I bought new in 1978, has a serial number beginning with 23 which indicates 1977 production. Are you certain your serial number begins with a 'B' and not an 8??? The '8' would indicate 1972 production.
my 1895 marlin in 45-70 serial # is B00 1921(serial # starts with a B, not a 8), i bought it because my dads birth date was 1921.
My first 1895 was bought in 1972, serial B0030xx, and has microgroove rifling. Still shot quite well with L457122HPs from an old Ideal mould. It will forever be a keeper, even at 50 years old.
Further research (?) both here and elsewhere indicates Brophy's book is wrong, as far as new 1895 serial numbers go...
I have the same gun,bought new for $219 (docket is still in the box,as is the booklet )......anyhoo,if you have largeish hands ,the lever cramps your fingers..........i wanted a 444,and was talked into the 45/70 by the shop.....should have waited.
Maybe get a bigger loop lever, or pad the one you have with a leather wrap ?Quote:
Originally Posted by john.k
Not much difference between the .444 and .45-70, but the .45-70 can handle heavier bullets.
I've shot some astounding groups with Microgroove 1895s from the 70's, mostly with RCBS gas check designs and IMR-3031.
Attachment 301134 3 shot group from my ruger #3 at 100 yards, 300 gr hornady with 50 grs H-4198. my marlin 1895 shoots that load the same. sure death on whitetails.
Mine is a bit earlier than yours, SN B0005XX. It is in new condition, but yours appears to have nicer wood. I remember something the dealer told me (but it's been over 40 years ago, and memory can fade). He said that the "B" serial number indicated the second run after they had been discontinued for several years, and that they were first offered to Marlin employees, then dealers who sold large amounts of Marlin rifles before being offered for public sales. That was how he got this one, by being a volume dealer, and it hung in his shop for several years until he had a "going out of business" sale, and I snagged it.
DG