While the 1889 Marlin was a good design, Winchester responded with the Model 1892, a smaller version of their Model 1886, both of which were designed by John Browning and chambered in the same cartridges as the 1889 Marlin. The solid top and side ejection of the Marlin 94 Rifles were a distinct advantage over other rifles. The caliber choices were the same three Winchester cartridges as the previous model, which were very popular and wildly popular. A few other upgrades from the earlier design strengthened the action so that the gun could not be fired unless it was closed.

Marlin unveiled the Model 1889 lever action, which unlike the top eject design of the 1888 or what Winchester was producing, was the first lever action to have a flat solid receiver that ejected cartridges to the side. Hepburn and Marlin though were not finished, and what came next was what made them stand apart from Winchester and other companies then and now. Only an estimated 4,800 Model 1888 Marlins were made before production ceased in 1889. The Model 1888 was a top eject design like the Winchester 1873 which caused it to run afoul of the New Haven Arms company. 44 WCF, which were incidentally, the same calibers as the Winchester 1873 rifle. Hepburn, a new, smaller frame lever action was introduced in 1888 that was chambered in. Marlin didn’t stop there, with the help of engineer and designer L.L.

What was noteworthy was that the Model 1881 came out five years before Winchester introduced the Model 1886, their big bore lever gun capable of handling the truly powerful hunting cartridges. 45-70 round along with other large caliber rounds up to the. The Model 1881, was the first lever action rifle capable of firing the. In 1881, an upstart by the name of John Mahlon Marlin started his own company, the Marlin Fire Arms Company, and his first gun, the Marlin 1881, launched a salvo across the bow of every other gun maker.

Marlin 1894 year of manufacture