The Marlin model 1893 with the serial number you provided was made in 1901. It is one of the first ever lever action rifles and it is also one of the most accurate rifles of it's time.
Did it ever occurr to you that you might need to offer a bit more information?
No.
The .348 Winchester was introduced in 1936 in the Winchester Model 71 lever action rifle. The Model 71 was the final culmination of the traditional large frame Winchester lever action rifles. Most experts regard it as the best and smoothest of them all. The model 71 was discontinued in 1958. A total of 47,254 Model 71 rifles were produced. The .348 Winchester was the only cartridge for which it was ever chambered. In the late 1970s Browning produced a reproduction of the model 71 in limited quantities which were made in Japan. Most parts are interchangeable with the original Winchesters with the exception of the barrel which has a different threading.
Yes, I have one that is Black on Black. They also made a bolt action, but not many of either. It's a Model 76.
I cannot find any reference to marlin ever making a model 226.
Finland in the country responsible for the manufacturing of Sako Rifles. Sako Rifles are essentially used in sporting and hunting activities ever since 1921.
JC Higgens never manufactured any guns - Sears bought them from a variety of manufacturers. The best way you could determine if Sears sold such a gun is to find some of the old reprints of their catalogs between 1887 and 1920, which are the years that Winchester was making their 1887 and 1901 "Humpback" lever action shotguns.
The lever.
== == Being this is the first model lever action Marlin ever made and serial 1 would be a rather prized piece for a collector. However even with it being serial 1 condition is still a significant factor in determining it's value and no information about that is given.http://wiki.answers.com/wiki.phtml?title=I_have_an_1891_marlin_tackdown_22_SN-56656_VGC_shoots_VG_what_can_you_tell_me_about_the_history_value_ect_TNX_joe&action=edit§ion=new
Standard infantry rifles did not, but there were scoped rifles used for sniping during WWI.
clever, never, ever, sever, lever