Can anyone tell me anything about a Marlin 1894 30/30 with an octagonal barrel?

[ADVWannabee]

My dad has a Marlin 1894 lever action 30/30 with an octagonal barrel. The gun looks very old but I don't know how old it is. He said a coworker of his who seemed to know what he was talking about said not to shoot it with modern ammo. Does anyone know what year they quit making them with the octagonal barrel? Would it be safe to shoot know or is just something to hang over the fireplace? I would love to get it out and get a deer with it.

[bronko22000]

If the barrel is stamped 30-30 and is in good mechanical condition then there is no reason not to be able to shoot it. The 30-30 is still loaded today to the same pressures as when it was developed.