I inherited a Marlin rifle from my grandfather. I looked up the serial number and found it was produced in 1892. The caliber is .38W. I'm trying to find ammo. I read an article that says you can shoot .38-40 ammo from it, which is used in cowboy action shoots. I cant find .38W but have found .38-40. Anyone know anything about this caliber or if I can shoot the 38-40 from it?

By the way, rifle is in mint condition!

38WCF is the same as 38-40. I would look for some cowboy loads to shoot in the old girl with cast bullets.

I just checked on Gunbroker.com for that caliber. Lots of ammo. Not cheap.
Maybe some brass to reload would be better.

The 93 model was 38-55
The model 94 was 38-40

Model number would help

And a photo

Back then makers hated acknowledging their competitors cartridges leading to some funny caliber markings. Some even put their own name on identical cartridges.

WOW! Beautiful gun! Want to sell it?

Very nice.

Man, that is nice!! I love old guns, and have a .32 winchester special that was made in 1911. My dad bought for me when I turned 16, I'll have to get some pics later to share.

Short loading gate looks like .38/40. Gorgeous rifle for sure.

Beautiful firearm.
By it's design I believe it is a 93 with a lot of custom work.
Checking, Lyman rear sight and all that beautiful engraving. Custom butt stock.
Worth min. $3500 jmo
To you priceless

star line is making new 38-40 brass it is good quality and with the low pressure of the 38-40 it should last for a lot of reloading

there is also a 38-55 a much bigger case


38-40 is a necked down 44-40 to accept a .401 projectile and approximate 40 grains of black powder to fill the case

38-55 is a .375 projectile atop 55gr of black powder to fill the case this is the parent case to 30-30 and 32 spl.

beautiful rifle

That is an awesome gun Mtnman.

Beautiful! what an awesome piece to own.

I recently saw a very, very similar rifle. I can’t tell from the photos but that blueing and finish on the wood screams “restoration”. I hope I am wrong. I love the tang sight as well.

OOhhhhh Laa laaaa that's gorgeous kinda agree with 160 hard to tell from pics maybe the original owner thought to pretty to use also and i'd agree with that

160user, my grandfather got the rifle from his father when he passed away in 1953. My grandfather said he his father had hunted with it. My grandfather said he never fired it while it was in his possession and was basically stored in a closet for the last 66 years.

Beautiful rifle. I have a Savage 1899 in 38-55 made in 1907. No where as nice condition as your rifle. Just a good hunting rifle.

If made in 1892 then it would have to be a 1889 marlin.
Its marked what model it is on the tang under the tang site.
38 w. Is 38/ 40 w.c.f.
Nice Rifle, deluxe model.