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With regards to the Winchester 1886 vs Marlin 1895 (the model that was available until 1917), what is the valuation of these if identical in comparison to each other? IMHO, the Marlin 1895 does not have the appeal of the Winchester 1886 and likely never will.
This means comparing identical examples.
Both antique or not?
Both in the same calibers.
Both with the same, or nearly so, identical features.
Identical condition.
This is a hypothetical example. I don’t have in front of me two identical rifles, except one is a Winchester 1886 and the other is a Marlin 1895.
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Both Marlin and Winchester built great guns but because Hollywood Westerns featured Winchester and Colt we have fewer Marlin collectors today. Less people collecting, less interest and price. Winchester was better at marketing than Marlin. You could buy ammunition and other sporting goods in the day from a company you already trusted.
John Wayne did not carry a Marlin in “True Grit”. T/R
TR said
Both Marlin and Winchester built great guns but because Hollywood Westerns featured Winchester and Colt we have fewer Marlin collectors today. Less people collecting, less interest and price. Winchester was better at marketing than Marlin. You could buy ammunition and other sporting goods in the day from a company you already trusted.John Wayne did not carry a Marlin in “True Grit”. T/R
That’s correct, a lot of the interest in Winchesters and Colts today—and the ability to attract an audience when it comes time to sell, and bring much better money as well—stems from their appearances on the silver screen.
I think the Marlin 1895 brings good money, not quite as high as the 86, you don’t see excellent examples often, so it’s hard to track, the lesser condition ones are on par with the 86. I have a soft spot for the Marlin and have a few
November 7, 2015
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I’ve seen 1893, 1894 and 1895 Marlins in excellent condition bring respectable prices but nothing near the prices we’re seeing for similar Winchesters. A good illustration of the rule that rarity, quality and condition don’t always guarantee high demand or prices. Another way of looking at it is the Marlin collector is getting more bang for his buck.
Mike
November 7, 2015
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I’ve seen 1893, 1894 and 1895 Marlins in excellent condition bring respectable prices but nothing near the prices we’re seeing for similar Winchesters. A good illustration of the rule that rarity, quality and condition don’t always guarantee high demand or prices. Another way of looking at it is the Marlin collector is getting more bang for his buck.
Mike
Winchesters were more popular back in the old west as well. After the Johnson County War of April 1892, forty-three vigilantes surrendered arms. Of the long arms, there was one shotgun, four Peabody-Martini rifles, and two Sharps rifles. All other carbines and rifles were Winchesters. These were models 1873, 1876, and 1886.
There were no Colt Lightning rifles, no Marlin rifles, no Bullard rifles.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
TXGunNut said
I’ve seen 1893, 1894 and 1895 Marlins in excellent condition bring respectable prices but nothing near the prices we’re seeing for similar Winchesters. A good illustration of the rule that rarity, quality and condition don’t always guarantee high demand or prices. Another way of looking at it is the Marlin collector is getting more bang for his buck.
Thank you. I would like a decent 1895 to go along with some 1886s, but my observations, not looking all that closely, is that Marlins (none of them 1895s, however), at the local show just don’t seem to move. I’m thinking that if one is serious about moving a Marlin—and this includes the Model 1895–you have to come down to about 50%, or less, than a comparable Winchester—and that’s just to get a second glance.
I bought this 1893 Marlin in 2004 for $2,400. I later traded it for a Colt pistol and cash. Don’t remember the total value? This was a really nice rifle. It was the only Marlin I’ve ever owned and the only 30 WCF. Much smoother action than a Win 94.
Chuck said
I bought this 1893 Marlin in 2004 for $2,400. I later traded it for a Colt pistol and cash. Don’t remember the total value? This was a really nice rifle. It was the only Marlin I’ve ever owned and the only 30 WCF. Much smoother action than a Win 94.
This reinforces my point. If this was a Winchester, it would be AT LEAST two or three times the value of what you paid for it ($2400).
Abd, I like Winchesters, and the silver screen sealed their popularity, but there are other rifle manufacturers who produced rifles superior to the excellent quality of Winchesters. Some are worth less today because they aren’t a Winchester, and others worth the same or more, only because of rarity (think Bullard).
That was my point. In the early days I collected a lot of different manufacturers. I eventually sold most of the non Colt and Winchesters. The other guns were harder to sell and brought less money.
Bullard is the cream of the crop when it comes to lever actions.
Chuck said
That was my point. In the early days I collected a lot of different manufacturers. I eventually sold most of the non Colt and Winchesters. The other guns were harder to sell and brought less money.Bullard is the cream of the crop when it comes to lever actions.
Yeah, they are up there 
For what these are, I thought they hammered strongly, I think the .45-70 Marlin 1895 brought more than a Winchester 1886 in .45-70 in comparable condition might bring. Prices are hammer prices and don’t include buyer’s premium or additional fees.
mrcvs said
For what these are, I thought they hammered strongly, I think the .45-70 Marlin 1895 brought more than a Winchester 1886 in .45-70 in comparable condition might bring. Prices are hammer prices and don’t include buyer’s premium or additional fees.
The only one I could view the hammer price on was the .45-90 ($10,500). I had been watching these Marlins and had a friend who was hoping to bid on the .45-90.
Marlin M1895’s are very popular among Marlin collectors. They are my favorite Marlin. As far as prices, my sense is they do much better than say 1893’s, 1894’s etc.
That .45-90 was in the best chambering, and special order features such as an extra long barrel, pistol grip and so on – will do well. However, I suspect a Winchester M1886 pistol grip .45-90 with a 28 inch half octagon would hammer more than $10,500.
I couldn’t see what the .45-70 hammered for. But again, a .45-70 in a Marlin M1895 is very desirable and particularly in a takedown variation. Harder to find than a M1886 takedown.
https://merkelauction.com/auction/228-merkels-wild-west/lot-123-antique-marlin/
This is link to the auction house, has the prices. There were some nice Remington Keene and Bullard rifles also with some Winchester. I’m a Marlin fan and did bid 6000 on that 45-90
cj57 said
https://merkelauction.com/auction/228-merkels-wild-west/lot-123-antique-marlin/This is link to the auction house, has the prices. There were some nice Remington Keene and Bullard rifles also with some Winchester. I’m a Marlin fan and did bid 6000 on that 45-90
I’ve spent some time going through the Merkel auction. I’ve more to go through but so far I’m struck that hammer prices were generally soft. And the swing is certainly not to Remington Keenes. There was a collection of ten – all from one collector who spent years putting that collection together. I think all went below the low end of the reserve, with many very far below. For example, a deluxe version with an auction estimate of $3500 to $4500 hammered for $1700. I suspect the consignor must has been sorely disappointed. If financial gain had been his goal we can quickly remark he should have collected Winchesters. However there’s more to collecting than money and I’m sure he enjoyed collecting and studying these interesting rifles.
steve004 said
cj57 said
https://merkelauction.com/auction/228-merkels-wild-west/lot-123-antique-marlin/
This is link to the auction house, has the prices. There were some nice Remington Keene and Bullard rifles also with some Winchester. I’m a Marlin fan and did bid 6000 on that 45-90
I’ve spent some time going through the Merkel auction. I’ve more to go through but so far I’m struck that hammer prices were generally soft. And the swing is certainly not to Remington Keenes. There was a collection of ten – all from one collector who spent years putting that collection together. I think all went below the low end of the reserve, with many very far below. For example, a deluxe version with an auction estimate of $3500 to $4500 hammered for $1700. I suspect the consignor must has been sorely disappointed. If financial gain had been his goal we can quickly remark he should have collected Winchesters. However there’s more to collecting than money and I’m sure he enjoyed collecting and studying these interesting rifles.
I think they were soft, too, except I only focused on the two antique Marlin 1895s I believed to be original. The .45-90 was stuck at the opening bid of 3k for so long that it made me question was I missing something on it, wood maybe refinished. Hammering at $10,500 likely disproves that. The .45-70 had an opening bid of $3k, which, when you add in buyer’s premium puts you at $3,600, more than a Winchester 1886 in comparable condition. And, as we have said, a Marlin is NOT a Winchester. I thought it would sell at $3000, if it even got a bid at all. I have no idea why it hammered at $5500, meaning the “winner” will have nearly 7k into it by the time it arrives at their doorstep.
I’ve gone though the whole auction now. I continued to see, what I considered to be, many soft hammer prices – including Winchester. It prompted me to think perhaps I’m out of touch. Granted, many rifles were, “middle of the road” rifles and as CJ suggests, you need to not just look at the hammer price but add in the extras.
Here’s an example – Winchester M1895, takedown, Lyman No. 21 with what to me looks like a a nice amount of bright original blue. I also think some of the reserves were soft, which I think is true of this one. Auction estimate of $1200 to $1800 and it hammered for $1300. Actually, it looks like a Lyman No. 38. But a takedown M1895 with some nice original blue etc.?
https://merkelauction.com/auction/228-merkels-wild-west/lot-88-1919-winchester/
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