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LOT 3043
Factory Engraved Marlin Deluxe Model
1897 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 442282, 22 S L LR cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1906-1915, this is an example of a scarce, factory engraved Marlin
Model 1897 rifle. Marlin records are notoriously incomplete, as noted Marlin expert William Brophy explained, “Unfortunately, the few remaining factory records do not, with any regularity,
indicate if the gun was factory engraved or not.”The engraving on this rifle is
certainly factory and shows Marlin’s No. 1 engraving pattern. The Marlin patterns,
including the engraving on this rifle, were designed by Conrad Ulrich who was
influenced by the 19th century masters L.D. Nimschke and Gustave Young.
Ulrich spent a lifetime embellishing some of the finest high art firearms of the
late 19th century to early 20th century. The richly engraved casehardened receiver features scroll, border, and a game panel scene. A circular game panel depicting a whitetail buck in woodland
scene decorates the left side of the receiver. The top and bottom of the receiver are engraved to match with scroll
and border patterns. The rifle is fitted with a Marble No. 2 beaded blade front sight, an elevation adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, and a peep
sight on the upper tang. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address and patent dates and the caliber marking is on the upper left flat at the breech. The serial number is on the bottom of the receiver and the model designation is marked on the upper tang. It is mounted with a checkered
forearm and pistol grip stock with a checkered hard rubber buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 40% of the original blue finish, primarily on the magazine tube, the barrel showing artificial browning, and 30% of the original case colors
with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The refinished wood is fine with some mild handling wear on the forearm and some scattered light handling marks throughout. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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LOT 3041
Very Fine
Antique Marlin Model 1881 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 4434, 40-60
Marlin cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1883, this is a very fine example of
a Marlin Model 1881 rifle. The Model 1881 was Marlin’s first foray into lever action repeating rifles, and it was the first in a long lineage of such for the company. Marlin would go on to become Winchester’s closest
competitor in the lever action market, with some of their rifles being of arguably better design
than their Winchester counterparts. The top barrel flat is marked with the standard two-line
address and the caliber marking at the breech. The early, four-digit serial number is marked on
the bottom of the receiver. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a smooth steel shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% of the original blue finish and traces of the original case colors in the sheltered areas of the
lever and hammer with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on high spots and edges. The wood is fine
with a long horizontal hairline crack on the right side of the forend along with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3042
Exceptional Marlin Model 94 Lever
Action Rifle - Serial no. 350457, 38-40 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1906, this is an exceptional example of a Marlin Model 94 rifle. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address and patent dates, as well as the caliber marking at the breech. The upper tang is marked with the two-line trademark
and model designation, and the serial number is on the bottom
of the receiver. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight, and the top of the receiver is factory drilled and tapped with filler screws in place. It is mounted
with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a smooth steel buttplate. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish and 95% vibrant original case colors
with some light high spot wear and a few scattered very small patches of surface spotting. 98% of the bright
original high polish blue remains on the breech bolt. The wood is very fine with a few scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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