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LOT 31
Stunning, Benchmark Example of a Special Order, Gold and Platinum
Inlaid, Ulrich Factory No. 5-3 Game Panel Scene and Oak Leaf Relief
Engraved, Antique Marlin Deluxe Model 1893 Lever Action Takedown
Rifle - Serial no. 139507, 30-30 Win cal., 26 inch part octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1896, this is a spectacular,
FRESH, never before photographed or offered for public sale, jaw-dropping
example of the pinnacle of late 19th century firearms art, which undoubtedly left
the Marlin factory as one of the finest masterpieces the company ever produced,
a title that it retains to this day, 129 years later, remaining in absolutely incredible
condition. This magnificent work of functional art is unquestionably from the
shop of Master Engraver Conrad F. Ulrich Jr. who engraved most of the highly
embellished arms that left the Marlin factory between 1881 and 1910. Ulrich
learned his craft under Colt’s Master Engraver, Gustave Young, who, along with
L.D. Nimschke, is credited as developing and establishing that truly unique
American style of engraving that emerged in the 19th century and carries on to
this day in various forms. It is clear when examining his works of art, particularly
a magnum opus such as this rifle, that Ulrich absorbed the teachings of the
master Gustave Young, eventually adding his own style and flair, becoming a true
maestro of the craft in his own right, and creating legendary pieces of Americana
like this beautiful rifle.
When it comes to tangible, personified representations of the American spirit, there is perhaps no one more fitting than John M. Marlin, who entered
the firearms industry around 1863, initially producing pocket derringers and single shot rifles. By the 1870s, Marlin had expanded into producing
pocket revolvers and began experimenting with repeating rifles. Marlin’s experimentation with repeating rifles alone was a reflection of the indomitable
American spirit, showing an incredible belief that he could compete in a market that was already being dominated by the powerhouse that was Winchester Repeating Arms Company and two
of their early iconic models, the Model 1866 and Model 1873. In true American fashion, John Marlin did not cower, but rather rose to the challenge. Based on patents by Andrew Burgess, H.F.
Wheeler, E.A.F. Toepperwein, and himself, Marlin assembled the design for the Model 1881 rifle, a robust repeater which was capable of handling some of the most powerful cartridges of the
time including .38-55 and .45-70, outclassing even Winchester’s large Model 1876. The Model 1881 acted as the solid foundation from which the Marlin company would launch their challenge
to Winchester. In the following years, Marlin released several more lever action models, including the 1889, which at the time was considered state-of-the-art due in part to its side ejection
feature, which was designed by L.L. Hepburn, a design which features prominently in the Marlin lineup to this day. In 1893, Marlin launched its first lever action design to handle the new, more
powerful smokeless powder, a design that became known as the Model 1893. The Model 1893 would go on to be one of Marlin’s most successful models, even while going head to head against
Winchester’s prolific, John M. Browning designed, Model 1894. Approximately 900,000 were produced between 1893 and 1935, when it was slightly improved and re-released as the Model 36,
which again happened in 1948 leading to the Model 336. The Marlin company went on to release a plethora of models, competing with Winchester all the way. Throughout its history and on
to the present day, the company showed the same unshakable spirit for pioneering innovation and unwavering admiration for rugged dependability that we continue to hold in high regard as
attributes of the American psyche.