JONES:
My records indicate that the 1893 was the first rifle Marlin designed for the then new smokeless powder ctg. It is chambered for the 25-36, 30-30, 32 Special 32-40 and the 38-55. It was offered standard with either a round or octagonal barrel, in lengths of 24" to 32".
The barrel on earlier guns is marked Marlin Firearms Co. New Haven CT U.S.A./ Patented Oct 11 1887, April 2 1889 1,1893. In 1919 the markings were change to the Marlin Firearms Corporation/New Have Conn, U.S.A. Patented. The Rifles mfg'd after 1904 are marked "Special Smokeless Steel" on th left side of the barrel. The upper tang is marked Model 1893 on early guns and Model 93 on the later guns There were approx 900,000 mfg'd between 1893-1935.
HJN