• Manufacturer: Marlin
• Model: 1889
• Caliber: .38-40
• Year of Manufacture: 1889
• Action: Lever Action
• Barrel Length: 24 inches
• Ammo Capacity: 12 (inquire for exact details)
• Overall Condition: Restored but NOT refinished. Wood and rust repaired. Authentic patina, strong action & strong rifling.
• Classification: Antique (Pre-1899)
• FFL Required: No – Federally Exempt Antique
• Price: $3,000
• Location: C.A.R Firearms – 6613 S 192nd Pl K106, Kent, WA 98032
• Payment Method: Online or in-person in Kent, WA
This Marlin 1889 was manufactured in 1889, qualifying it as a federally recognized antique firearm under U.S. law. Because it was produced prior to 1899, it is not classified as a modern firearm under federal regulations and is FFL exempt.
This means no federal firearms transfer is required. However, buyers are responsible for ensuring compliance with their local and state laws before purchase. Nationwide inquiries are welcome.
This isn’t just a lever action — this is late 1800s American craftsmanship.
The Marlin Model 1889 was Marlin’s first solid-top lever gun, a design advancement that improved strength and reliability over earlier models. It laid the foundation for the legendary Marlin rifles that followed.
Chambered in .38-40, a cartridge popular in the Old West and commonly paired with revolvers of the same caliber, this rifle represents a time when practicality ruled and steel-and-walnut construction was the standard — not a marketing feature.
And here’s the wild part: this rifle was built before automobiles were common, before airplanes existed, and decades before modern firearm manufacturing processes. Yet the action remains smooth, the metal shows honest age, and it stands as a functional piece of history.
It has character. Real character. Not “distressed finish from the factory” character.
For collectors of antique firearms, lever-action enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates precision machining from the 19th century, this is a serious piece.
As a professional gunsmith shop in Kent, WA, we’ve examined this rifle as part of our consignment process. Its antique status has been verified, and it is being offered as a collectible historical firearm.
Opportunities to own pre-1899 lever actions in this condition don’t show up every day.
If you’d like more information about this Marlin 1889 .38-40 Antique, call C.A.R Firearms at (253) 642-7461 or use the contact form below to inquire about availability, additional photos, or purchasing details.