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LOT 31
Outstanding, Documented, Rare, and Iconic
L.D. Nimschke Panel Scene Engraved Marlin
Model 1889 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 87630,
32 WCF cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/nickel
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1894 and
featuring nearly full coverage floral scrollwork on
fine beaded background decorating the nickel
plated receiver, along with a semi-relief portrait
of a dog head in a circular panel on the left side.
The rifle is pictured in “Marlin Firearms” on page
175 and the author and well-known Marlin expert
William Brophy attributed the work to renowned
19th century Master Engraver L.D. Nimschke:
“Uniquely engraved Model 1889 rifle that appears
to have been done by the hand of L.D. Nimschke.”
Evidence supporting L.D. Nimschke himself was
the engraver of this masterpiece is taken from the
engraver’s original pulls in the pattern book “L.D.
Nimschke Firearms Engraver” published by R.L.
Wilson. A strikingly similar dog head motif is among
the Nimschke pulls appearing on pages 4 and 85
used on two differing firearm models. This dog
head serves as the strongest piece of evidence that
the engraving was performed by Nimschke. The
detail is similarly captured in the panel scene found
on this rifle, leaving no doubt that this masterpiece
is a Nimschke original. Other highly decorative
motifs taken from pulls in the pattern book serve
to provide additional evidence that Nimschke
engraved this rifle. The distinctive overlapping
scrollwork closely resembles a pull found at the
bottom of page 26. The center of the scrollwork
is similar to a pull on page 86. The scroll pattern is
certainly consistent with Nimschke’s signature work.
The combination of scrollwork and dog head leaves
us with no doubt that Nimschke performed the
engraving on this rifle. Light scrollwork appears on
the forend cap and buttplate tang.
Model 1889s were a “working gun,” and few
customers were willing to pay extra for deluxe
features, let alone a profuse engraving by one of
the period’s finest engravers. These deluxe models
are becoming difficult to find, especially those in
high condition like this example. The rifle is fitted
with a combination Beach front sight, an elevation
adjustable rear sight, and a folding tang peep
sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-
line Marlin legend ahead of the rear sight and the
caliber designation “32-W” at the breech. The top
of the receiver is marked “MARLIN SAFETY.” The
barrel and full length magazine tube are blued. The
forend cap, receiver, lever, and buttplate are nickel
plated. The hammer is casehardened. The varnished
forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured
deluxe walnut, featuring factory No. B checkering.
This style of Marlin checkering was reserved for
select walnut and used a multi-point checkering
pattern. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent
buttplate. As pictured and described in the book Marlin Firearms by Brophy and similar
engraving illustrated in the book L.D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver by Wilson
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