Vintage Marlin 45-70

[ninety caliber]

Does anyone know what Marlin model pre dates the 1895 in 45-70? Was it the 1883?

[Martini450]

I believe it was the model 1881. They made it in a couple of different frame sizes, if memory serves, and in a few other calibres, such as 38-55.

[Mike Armstrong]

Yeah, it was the 1881, made in a larger sized frame in .45-70, 45-60, and .40-60 (and I think, some in 38-56) and a smaller sized frame in .38-55 and .32-40.

The gun that "inspired" the Win 1886; Winchester needed a model that could compete with Marlin's "Big Bore"! Lucky they "discovered" John Browning!

[44-40 Willy]

Don't forget there are two Model 1895s. The original large frame square bolt and the newer one based on the smaller 336 action.

[Sixgun]

I don't shoot it a whole lot but when I do, it ranks as my best 40 caliber rifle for accuracy. These were also made in 45-70 and a couple of the other smaller cartridges.

This one is early large frame with an extra heavy 30" barrel. It weighs 12 pounds---tough guys back in the day.

[Old Savage]

Well you know old Matt Crocker remarked concerning their full size model 70, if it gets to be too heavy I guess we'll just sit home and play Tiddly Winks.

[Sixgun]

Well you know old Matt Crocker remarked concerning their full size model 70, if it gets to be too heavy I guess we'll just sit home and play Tiddly Winks.

Tiddly Winks I bet there are not 3 people here who remember those.

I say to people at work when they are looking for something to do or when they ask me what I do at home when there is nothing to do........play Tiddly Winks!

[OldWin]

This 1888 mfd. 81 is in 45-70. It's a plain jane with a 24" OB, full magazine, and shotgun butt.

[bgmkithaca]

Well you know old Matt Crocker remarked concerning their full size model 70, if it gets to be too heavy I guess we'll just sit home and play Tiddly Winks.

Tiddly Winks I bet there are not 3 people here who remember those.

I say to people at work when they are looking for something to do or when they ask me what I do at home when there is nothing to do........play Tiddly Winks!

I will bet there are a whole lot more than 3 here that remember Tiddly Winks-LOL

[Mike Armstrong]

Neat guns, both. If I recall, the .40-65 MARLIN was the same case as the .40-60 WINCHESTER, just to keep us all confused.... Both based on the .45-70 case.

[Sixgun]

Neat guns, both. If I recall, the .40-65 MARLIN was the same case as the .40-60 WINCHESTER, just to keep us all confused.... Both based on the .45-70 case.

Mike, your close. the 40-60 Marlin is the same as the 40-65 Winchester but as the Marlin round came out first, I guess you can say the 40-65 Winchester is the same as the 40-60 Marlin.

The 40-60 Winchester is a pipsqueak for the 1876 model.

Yes, based on the 45-70 case. The above Marlin 1881 has a very tight chamber and will only accept a .406.5 bullet (even with inside neck reaming) but my 86 Winchester needs .408 bullets, so I have to keep 2 inventories for a thousandths and a half difference and keep the brass separated.

Confusing? Those are the easy ones? -----Sixgun

[Mike Armstrong]

Yeah, I always seem to get that butt-backwards. Not a good thing if you were up in the North Woods 93 miles from the general store....

The "40s" ARE a little confusing. Especially the .38-40. Speaking of butt-backwards--my .38 WCF-marked Win 1885s both have .401 bores.....

And then there's the many 40-60s. And the many, many .40-70s. Lucky thing that back in the day most guys could only afford one rifle. Sooner or later they figured out what to feed it!

I always noticed that the Marlin 1881 and the Win 1886 carried like iron fence posts. Really clumsy until you put them up to your shoulder and draw a bead. Then it all changes.