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LOT 1057
Exceptional Antique Factory Engraved Marlin Deluxe Model 1894 Lever Action Takedown Rifle with Marlin Factory Letter - Serial no. 128458, 38-40 WCF cal., 24 inch half octagon bbl., blue finish, fancy walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, this high condition Marlin Model 1894 Takedown Rifle is beautifully embellished with factory Ulrich pattern engraving. The receiver is decorated with fine scrollwork on a punch dot background, borders and a game scene depicting a bull and cow elk in a meadow scene. The engraving matches the Marlin factory No. 3 pattern as illustrated in Brophy’s “Marlin Firearms” on page 531. Engraved scrollwork extends to the forend cap and takedown collar. Simple scrolls adorn the exposed barrel flats at the breech. When this rifle was manufactured, famed Master Engraver Conrad Ulrich was performing most of the engraving for Marlin. The Marlin patterns, including the motif featured on this stunning example, were designed by Conrad Ulrich who was influenced by the late 19th century masters L. D. Nimschke and Gustave Young. By the early 20th century, Ulrich’s son, Alden George Ulrich, was engraving for Marlin, continuing his father’s legacy of producing high quality high art firearms. The rifle is fitted with a Marble No. 3 deluxe front sight with flip up white bead, a Marble folding adjustable leaf rear sight, and a rare Marbles automatic flexible tang sight. The half octagon barrel and half magazine are additional special order features. The screws are plated in gold. The hammer and lever have a casehardened finish. The remaining surfaces are blued. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured select walnut and have the No. B multi-point factory checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a hard rubber Marlin monogram buttplate. The included factory letter by noted Marlin historian William Brophy authenticates the 24 inch, half octagon barrel in .38-40 caliber, 1/2 magazine, gold screws, No. 3 engraving, “B” checkering, blued receiver, pistol grip stock, hard rubber buttplate, takedown configuration, and tang sight as well as stating the rifle was shipped in 1896. Marlin Model 1894s are rarely encountered documented as factory engraved.