Mariln .38 revolver, help plz?

Question

Well i have an old marlin .38 revolver top break double action, and i like to know more about it. I've searched and searched on the interntet and can't find any info on about it. On the top of the barrel it says its patented on august 3, 1887; and on the bottom of the handle it has 807, a serial im guessing. I found it in an old cigar box in pieces, i cleaned it up and put most of it together, but some of the internal pieces are missing. I'd like to find out what pieces i need and how they go together, and also i didnt know marlin made revolvers? So can you guys help me?

Answer 1

you have a j.m.marlin model 1887 double action revolver.

in the condition you describe, value would be $50-$100

Answer 2

Many people fail to realize that Marlin did indeed make some handguns which can be very collectable today. Your revolver sounds like the model 1887 double action revolver which replaced the single action only model 1878 revolver. Yours should have fluted cylinders and for the .38, it only holds 5 shots, while the model chambered for .32 holds 6.

it has a 3.25" barrel,standard finish is nickel with blued trigger guard, but many blued models have been seen.There were approx. 15,000 made between 1887 and 1899.

values vary as the following shows:

Good condition=$500.00

Fair= $200.00

poor=$75.00

to locate parts, try www.numricharms.com

Or contact Marlin firearms company (now owned by remington) to obtain more info. I did google marlin model 1887 and was able to go thru some of the thousand or so hits and see some partial schematics for them.

Interesting old revolver, and I how you stick with it, and get it restored and enjoy it, and a part of history for many years to come.

Shoot safe