I have an 1895-SS from 2000 with Ballard rifling.

One "S" stands for Safety - that they added in the 80's.
The Second "S" stands for Standard - that the added when they came up with the guide gun which got the "G" label.

Do not think it had anything to do with the micro groove / ballard distinction.

The SS was dropped to avoid confusion when the Stainless guns were starting to be offered.

Ballard rifling was available before 2000, but not sure of the exact year.

The Shooter's Bible has been wrong many times, and is not to be trusted on many subjects. Best source would be Marlin Catalogs or Marlins book.

David

Not that it makes any great deal one way or the other. I just picked up a 45-70 1895SS that Marlin tells me was manufactured in 1996. It has the MicroGroove rifling. It's my first Marlin centerfire and first 45-70 and I'm just trying to learn all I can about it. I appreciate the info. Thanks. -WSJ

Respectfully I beg to differ. The 1895S came out in the early 1980's well before the safety was available. The 'S' in 1895S represented 'Sporter' as the new Marlin sported a pistol grip and curved lever which replaced the previous straight grip, squared lever 1895. The second 'S' was added to the 1895SS when the cross-bolt safety was added later in the 1980's. The 'SS' designation was eliminated, I think in 2001, to eliminate confusion with the stainless steel guide gun, the 1895GS.

I was close - Standard/ sporter. We're splitiing hairs.
Yes I beleive you that the first S was for the sporter and second S was for safety. Makes sense.

Jackfish - or anybody else who knows, when were the first Ballard barrels offered?


David

The first of the modern era 1895s were a non-microgroove. I believe in 1972 and 1973 they were the "Ballard" style rifling or at least deeper and less grooves than the subsequent Microgroove rifling. The Microgroove 1895 began in 1974 I believe, for sure by 1975. Marlin dropped the Microgroove in favor of the Ballard in the 1895 in 2001.

Jackfish,
My marlin 1895ss was made in 2000 and it has the Ballard cut rifling. So they started using ballard barrels before 2001.
I found an old 1999 Marlin catalog, and it says the 1895 was with deep cut Ballard rifling in 1999.
the next oldest catalog I have is from 1973, so it is of no help.
I think the Ballard rifling came out when the guide guns came out, which I think was 1995. Anybody know?

David

The 1895SS remained a microgroove even after the 1895G was introduced. Maybe it was 1998 when they changed the 1895SS from microgroove to ballard? You should call Marlin or float this question over at www.marlin-collectors.com

Hey Jackfish, check out

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=122

My 1895 is one of the first, has a straight grip stock, square ended finger level and standard, non-microgrove barrel. It shoots cast bullets like no ones business! The only limiting factor is how finicky the gun is about feeding rounds that are on the long side...it is critical to ensure you don't go over OAL or you will jam the baby up like no one's business.

regards,
Graycg