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HIGH CONDITION MARLIN 1881 SMALL FRAME FACTORY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
HIGH CONDITION MARLIN 1881 SMALL FRAME FACTORY

ENGRAVED LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 38-55. S# 15582. Marlin's new repeater introduced in 1881 was a side loading top ejection large caliber hunting rifle. The small receiver was thinner & lighter, only available in 32-40 & 38-55. This outstanding fifth variation rifle has a rare blue finished engraved action. The engraving features circular vignettes with a whitetail buck on right side and a grizzly on the left. Scenes are surrounded by highlights of scroll engraving & straight line borders that extend to upper & lower action areas. Although not signed the engraving appears to be the work of Conrad Friedrich Ulrich Jr (1844-1925). Conrad Ulrich did almost all of the Marlin engraving from 1881 to 1910. Bbl. 28" octagon. Bead front sight with elevator adjustable sporting rear sight. Full length tubular mag. Action features double set triggers & has case colored hammer & lever. Capped rifle forearm & S curved pistol grip stock of fancy thin shell walnut with point pattern hand checkering & crescent steel buttplate. Shipped Dec. 12, 1887. Weight: 7 lbs 15.8 oz. CONDITION: very fine, retaining over 80% lightly faded blue, showing very mild carry & edge wear. Hammer & lever retain small amount of visible case colors. Buttplate has a faded gray appearance. Set triggers operate smoothly. Wood finish show light wear with scattered scratches, marks & small dents. Checkering exhibits carry wear. Bore retains strong rifling showing very small spots of light pitting. PROVENANCE: From the life long collection of Robert Runge. (01-21652/DS). ANTIQUE. $20,000-30,000.