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LOT 56
Rare Antique Marlin Model 1897 Lever Action
Bicycle Rifle with Marlin Factory Letter and
Brophy Letter - Serial no. 152768, 22 RF cal., 16
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Manufactured in 1897, the barrel has the
standard two-line address/patent marking in front of the
rear sight. The model designation is on the upper tang, and
the serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. Fitted with beaded
blade front and elevation adjustable rear sights. Mounted with a smooth forearm and
straight grip stock with a checkered hard rubber buttplate. The included 1983 dated factory letter lists this rifle as having
a 24 inch round barrel in .22 caliber when shipped on July 22, 1897 to an unknown recipient. Also included is a 1988 dated letter from William S. Brophy
written on Marlin letterhead stating that from his examination of the rifle it appears that the bicycle rifle configuration is in fact the factory installed original. He goes
on to state that this conclusion was made because the magazine is, from his observation, original and not cut down that the barrel must be as well. In “Marlin Firearms”
Brophy states on page 243 that only 216 1897s were manufactured as bicycle rifles, and only 97 were manufactured with round barrels.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% original blue finish on the barrel and magazine with some light spots of thinning to brown. The receiver retains 80% plus original
vivid case colors with a gray brown patina on the balance. Wood is also very fine with a professional wood repair on toe, handling marks and scattered scratches.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 14,000
Collector’s Fact
In the book "Marlin Firearms",
Brophy states that only 216
1897s were manufactured as
bicycle rifles, and only
97 were manufactured
with round barrels.
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