Rifleman Q&A: Marlin Model 1887 Revolvers

by
posted on February 12, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Marlin Model 1887 Revolvers

Q: I have an old revolver by Marlin that is a five-shot, top-break, .38-cal., pocket-size gun. It is said to have belonged to a railroad worker out of Fort Worth, Texas. It is 7" long and weighs about 17 ozs. There is a stamp on the back of the grip frame that reads “U.S. Ex. Co.,” and under the buttplate appears to be its serial number, “19024.” Molded into the stock are the letters “M F A C.” The barrel top is stamped “Marlin Fire Arms Co. New Haven, Conn. U.S.A. Patented August 9, 1887, August 9 1887.” What is this old Marlin?


A: Your revolver is the Model 1887 Double-Action. There were about 15,000 made between 1887 and 1889. The small screw that is just above the large screw upon which the barrel pivots identifies yours as the 2nd variation. It indicates that this model has an improved extraction system patented by D.H. Rice.

Marlin’s 1887 catalog states: “The style is identical with the Smith & Wesson revolver, and in no respect whatever is it inferior.” This is the only double-action revolver the company made, and then only for three years. Apparently, Marlin decided to concentrate on what it did best—rifle manufacture.

The fact that the original owner worked for the railroad out of Fort Worth is consistent with the “U.S. Ex. Co.” stamped on its backstrap. The U.S. Express Co. was founded in 1854; revolvers of this type were carried by those who guarded packages. The U.S. Post Office did not carry packages in the 19th century, so a number of express companies came into being to transport packages by rail. By 1890, the U.S. Express Co. was one of the top four carriers, handling 15 percent of the packages. For comparison, Wells Fargo had 20 percent, American Express had 21 percent, Adams Express had 23 percent and Southern Express had 7 percent.

—Michael F. Carrick, Contributing Editor

Latest

Gotw Bmr X Steel Web
Gotw Bmr X Steel Web

Gun Of The Week: Bergara BMR-X Steel

In this episode, the American Rifleman staff is on the range with a rimfire rifle that’s designed to excel in competition. This is the Bergara BMR-X Steel, a bolt-action that offers some match-grade features at a price that won’t break the bank.

Robert "Bob" Nosler Passes Away

Robert "Bob" Nosler, chairman of Nosler, Inc., passed away on Sept. 2, 2025, at the age of 79.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 5, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

MRDS: Zenith’s American-Made Roller-Delayed Rifle For The 21st Century

While the roller-delayed blowback mechanism has proven reliable in platforms like the Heckler & Koch G3, Zenith Firearms has taken this innovative operating system and paired it with a modern, AR-style feature set in its MRDS.

Remington Announces 4th Annual Shoot To Cure Fundraiser

Now in its fourth year, the Shoot to Cure fundraiser is scheduled to take place on September 19 at the historic Remington Gun Club in Lonoke, Ark.

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PD380

For its latest compact carry pistol, the PD380, Walther Arms combined elements of its Performance Duty Pistol series with its legacy PK380 platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.