KWK wrote on Jan 19^th, 2025 at 1:16pm:


LL Hepburn does have a patent on the 1888 Marlin design. Although the design is much like Marlin's Model 1881 just scaled down for smaller cartridges. I guess enough differences to receive a patent, but I've always wondered how?
His 1889 was truly a unique design that spawned all later Marlin lever actions to this day.
Hepburn was a true firearms genius and I've often wondered if John Marlin hadn't hired him after Remington went bankrupt if Marlin would have become as successful making lever action repeaters as they were? But maybe the Ballard would have remained in production longer had they not become so successful?
He basically moved the locking bolt interface on the 1894 up inside the receiver to get it out of the trigger guard area, which made a cleaner look without that part hanging below the lower tang.

The lockup of the 1888 is nothing like the 1889 and later Marlin rifles. The later all use a vertical rising block that intersects the breech bolt, while the 1888 uses a pivoting block that rises up behind the breech bolt and then cams in behind it. Not nearly as strong as the later 1889 is.
The 1881 is different than both as the end of the lever intersects the breech bolt and holds it forward when the lever is closed. This is more akin to what Hepburn designed into the smaller .22 and .32 models 1891, '92, '97, etc. Not a bad design, but likely the weakest for a rifle chambered in large cartridges like the .45-70 and .40-60 Marlin.

KWK wrote on Jan 19^th, 2025 at 7:22pm:


I also was looking at Bill's book and 3 previous patents show no block in them, but the latest 1887 drawing does indeed show a rising block and cut in the breech block it fits into. 
Guess it's been too long since I had one of my 1888's apart.

How well does the 1888 operate? I've never had my hands on one. The mechanism by which the lever actuates the cartridge carrier is different than on the 1894, plus it has to hold onto the upgoing cartridge instead of slamming it into the roof of the receiver. I assume the 1888 was either less reliable or Hepburn figured out a simpler way to do it.

KWK wrote on Jan 19^th, 2025 at 7:51pm:


Remington had very little interest in any Sporting Rifles, and only made Sporting Rifles off leftover military actions when military sales plummeted. Compared to military sales their Sporting sales were dismal. And especially compared to the competition.
The main reason LL Hepburn was first hired was to make up Rolling Blocks for the 1874 Creedmoor match. He already had a great reputation as a gun maker, and top shooter, and Remington needed someone like him to build quality long range rifles.

TN Longhunter wrote on Jan 20^th, 2025 at 3:30pm:


The .32-20 was the smallest production of 1888 Marlins, so surprised you see more of that cartridge? They made over 1700 each of .44-40 and .38-40, but less than 1300 in .32-20 cartridge. 
The 1888 were almost all made in 1888 and 1889, with like two made in 1890, and one in 1891 and one in 1892.
I never had a .32-20, but had both .38-40 and .44-40 when I collected them.

2nd on good video. Always nice to read new info on Ballard.