Another suppressed Antique Marlin

MachIVshooter · Mar 23, 2021

Some may recall the 1903 mfr 1894 in .25-20 I posted about awhile back, internally threaded for a can matched to the rifle, and a custom scope mount to hold the vintage Marlin Micro-Vue scope I got for it:

Well, I did it again, with an even older critter.

This time I scored a first year 1889 in .32-20. Overall, it's in quite good condition, but it did have a decent wanger on the muzzle, which made the decision that much easier to pull the tube, face it, and internally thread it 7/16-40 for a custom male-male adapter:

There will be no other modifications, as I like the firearm just the way it is. I just don't like loud guns, so this discreet alteration makes the 132 year old Marlin infinitely more usable and enjoyable for my family. I haven't built the dedicated can for it yet, but the .32-20 with 900-ish FPS 100 gr cast bullet handloads through my full size 9mm cans is spooky quiet!

LoonWulf · Mar 23, 2021

MachIVshooter said:
Some may recall the 1903 mfr 1894 in .25-20 I posted about awhile back, internally threaded for a can matched to the rifle, and a custom scope mount to hold the vintage Marlin Micro-Vue scope I got for it:

Well, I did it again, with an even older critter.

This time I scored a first year 1889 in .32-20. Overall, it's in quite good condition, but it did have a decent wanger on the muzzle, which made the decision that much easier to pull the tube, face it, and internally thread it 7/16-40 for a custom male-male adapter:

View attachment 987096

There will be no other modifications, as I like the firearm just the way it is. I just don't like loud guns, so this discreet alteration makes the 132 year old Marlin infinitely more usable and enjoyable for my family. I haven't built the dedicated can for it yet, but the .32-20 with 900-ish FPS 100 gr cast bullet handloads through my full size 9mm cans is spooky quiet!

View attachment 987097

View attachment 987098

YOU HEATHEN!!!!!!

I love it lol.

The one lever gun I really want to have is a suppressed 44 or 45 with 16 in tube....I don't feel like I should like the way the suppressor looks (never mind how practical it is lol) on the longer barrel but I really do!

adcoch1 · Mar 23, 2021

That is just cool on every level. Can't wait to see the matching can. Gonna go octagon to match the barrel?

LoonWulf · Mar 23, 2021

adcoch1 said:
Gonna go octagon to match the barrel?

Ooh please do!

DMW1116 · Mar 24, 2021

I don’t know why but the suppressed lever action really appeals to me. I waffle between a 357/38 or 45LC lever action. This project is awesome.

WestKentucky · Mar 24, 2021

John Mahlon Marlin would undoubtedly be proud to see the work done on his wonderful creation. That is quite a nice shooter, and your work has only multiplied its mystique.

DocRock · Mar 24, 2021

It's genuinely (rather rare) well done steampunk! Looks fantastic. Would love to see an octagonal shroud on the can! As per above, I would imagine JM Marlin is nodding his approval from The Great Gun Range in the sky!

BreechFace · Mar 24, 2021

DMW1116 said:
I don’t know why but the suppressed lever action really appeals to me. I waffle between a 357/38 or 45LC lever action. This project is awesome.

45 Colt there decision made

DMW1116 · Mar 24, 2021

Well that was easy. 45LC is the clear winner for a dedicated suppressor host and becomes even more appealing if you reload.

OrangeCat · Mar 24, 2021

adcoch1 said:
That is just cool on every level. Can't wait to see the matching can. Gonna go octagon to match the barrel?

I just thought about someone measuring, remeasuring, getting a second opinion, then cutting the threads and screwing it on to have it screw on like juuuuussst barely out of alignment with the barrel.

Then my brain made a horrible screeching noise and I can taste the color blue.

CraigC · Mar 24, 2021

I don't care, that is cool!

ZGunner · Mar 24, 2021

Huh! Never knew I needed such a thing until I saw this. I missed the first one. I’m sold, I think I need one in .45 LC.

horsemen61 · Mar 24, 2021

Awesome work!!!!! I’d love to shoot it I’d giggle I’m sure

CapnMac · Mar 24, 2021

There is something deliciously dieselpunk about a lever with a can.

Nature Boy · Mar 24, 2021

DocRock said:
steampunk

First thing that came to my mind as well

H&Hhunter · Mar 24, 2021

When I read the title to this thread my immediate reaction was;

HERETIC!
BURN HIM AT THE STAKE!
STONE HIM TO DEATH!
FEED HIS REMAINS TO THE WILD DOGS!

Then I saw it and the way you did it. OMG that is cool and I want at least three or four of them!

Nice work.

MachIVshooter · Mar 24, 2021

LoonWulf said:
Ooh please do!

It'll be the same as the one I did for the .25-20, except .32 cal. Blued 4130 Chromoly tube with heat treated 440C for everything else. 440C is not really suitable for cans that will reach very high temperatures, but it's extreme hardness makes cleaning the lead from cast bullets off with aggressive means a snap.

BigBlue 94 · Mar 24, 2021

H&Hhunter said:
When I read the title to this thread my immediate reaction was;

HERETIC!
BURN HIM AT THE STAKE!
STONE HIM TO DEATH!
FEED HIS REMAINS TO THE WILD DOGS!

Then I saw it and the way you did it. OMG that is cool and I want at least three or four of them!

Nice work.

A very common sentiment towards mufflers on lever guns. However, Hiram Maxim Jr created the first silencer in 1902. Not even ten years after the 1894 came out. Silencers were installed on levers all the way back then. I dont like the 1889 with that tan round can lol. That looks BLASPHEMOUS! But I know he is going octagon with the dedicated can.

-----------
I really dig the octagon silencer. Curious though, @MachIVshooter , why did you not continue the octagon to the ends? Thread support? If thats the case, why not make it larger, so the octagon could support the threads; weight I assume?

What is the bore tolerance on that adapter? Impressive work regardless!

MachIVshooter · Mar 24, 2021

BigBlue 94 said:
why did you not continue the octagon to the ends? Thread support?

Yep. .050" wall tube

BigBlue 94 said:
If thats the case, why not make it larger, so the octagon could support the threads; weight I assume?

Also yep. Steel tubes are heavy enough as is, and when you go hanging it on the end of a 24" barrel......

BigBlue 94 said:
What is the bore tolerance on that adapter? Impressive work regardless!

.335". I usually bore the adapter IDs .020" over bullet diameter. There are naysayers who insist the close bore will affect accuracy, but we're not doing this with long range precision rifles, and I've never noticed it with pistols and rifles chambered in cartridges like the .25-20 & .32-20, where better than 2 MOA @ 100 is pretty darned good under any circurmstances. The scope on the Marlin isn't fantastic, a fixed 4x with a tiny objective and not super clear, but it'll hover around 2 MOA for 5 shot groups @ 100 when I do my part. That's with 2,040 FPS 60 gr. jacketed bullet loads, though; the 85 gr cast lead bullets @ 1,000 cannot pull that off.

CoalCrackerAl · Mar 24, 2021

I like it a lot. Nice touch adding the old tractor in the pics.

Dave Markowitz · Mar 24, 2021

WANT!

Random 8 · Mar 24, 2021

You should make the can out of antiqued brass or copper with some non-functional dinguses on it for the full steampunk effect. Maybe some non-function rivets and fake valves.

Random 8 · Mar 24, 2021

OOOHHH do one of these in .45 LC or .44-40! https://www.ubertireplicas.com/product/1884-lightning-rifle-carbine/

Bfh_auto · Mar 24, 2021

LoonWulf said:
YOU HEATHEN!!!!!!

I love it lol.

The one lever gun I really want to have is a suppressed 44 or 45 with 16 in tube....I don't feel like I should like the way the suppressor looks (never mind how practical it is lol) on the longer barrel but I really do!

I want a suppressed mare's leg in 357.
180 wfn 38s would be good for me.

Riomouse911 · Mar 24, 2021

Random 8 said:
You should make the can out of antiqued brass or copper with some non-functional dinguses on it for the full steampunk effect. Maybe some non-function rivets and fake valves.

I was thinking the same thing... maybe a set of hammered copper or brass end pieces with a color case hardened middle. :thumbup:

My buddy up the street put a hammered copper sink into the bar in his over-barn man cave, it looks amazing

Stay safe.

Another suppressed Antique Marlin

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