I'm looking at a Marlin . .MODEL 1895 CAL 45-70 GOVT. other than that and. .The Marlin Firearms Co, North Haven Conn, USA, Their are no markings on the rifle. This piece seems to have some age to it, but is in good shape. The serial #is 22025208. Any info on these rifles would be appreciated.

Does this rifle have a hammer block safety on it? if so, it's not that old. If the barrel is 22 or so inches long, it's a standard 1895. If it is around 18 or so, you have a guide gun. If it is octaganal and longer, you may have a cowboy or commemorative gun. Either way, these are very well made guns, and can hold up to quite good pressures. If the rifling looks good, and the bore has no pitting, it could very well be a good gun to get. Does the lever throw nicely, or does it bind? Other than that, the only problem I can forsee with a Marlin lever gun is the loading port. If the screw holding it begins to back out, it can cause the lever to bind up. A little loc-tite will remidy this easy enough. Good luck.

They are a very good gun and capable of killing anything on this planet. Not bad for a 120 year old offering.

That is a 1988 build. Since 1873 or so and it is still a popular round. I carry mine when I think I have a risk of getting stomped or eaten up north.

Thanks for the replies , The rifle doesn't have a hammer block safty. The barrel is at least 22 in long , ,maybe a little more. The stock is a western style . The rifle has obviously been taken care of in every respect.

Buy it if you like it and the price is right. The 1895 is a great, reliable rifle. And the 45-70 is a good solid cartridge. With the right loads, it is capable of dropping anything that walks.
The factory ammo is loaded to the old pressures (I think about 28000 cup) for use in the older guns. The 1895s can take alot more pressure and therefore stouter loads than the factory stuff.

The Marlin 1895 is my favorite hunting rifle. As the others have stated if it's in good shape grab it and cherish it.

When I got out of the military almost 15 years ago I picked one up after a childhood spent admiring the 45-70 round as an awsome hunting round for Maine. I had grown up using a single shot H&R and wanted a multi-shot 45-70. Many deer and a moose later I have come full circle and gone back to a NEF 45-70 finding that I have never needed more than one well placed shot.

That being said the Marlin 1895 45-70 will always hold a special place in this hunter's heart.

Old Maine Hunter

I have an 1895 SS. I love it. Yours has a straight stock I guess. Mine has a pistol grip style.

Buy it if you want a nice handling woods gun that can be loaded to suit just about any purpose. It really is an easy cartridge to load for, too.

Old Maine Hunter. You and me both. I love my NEF 45-70. I also have one in 44 Magnum and 280 Remington. I had one in 223 that was stolen from my truck. I have also had the 30-06 243 ultra and 30-30. I shoot a mild load in the 45-70 for close range deer and plinking which is 13.0 grains of Unuque with a magnum rifle primer. This load is easy on the shoulder and sighted dead on at 25 yards its about 2 1/2 inches low at 100 yards. Thats with a 405 grain bullet. The same charge works with the 300 grain bullet but is not as consistant over the chronogragh. That 405 grain load is shooting about 1150 fps and is VERY consistant.