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LOT 58
Exceptional Antique Marlin Model 1881 Lever Action Rifle in Highly
Desirable .45-70 Government - Serial no. 12452, 45-70 Government cal., 28 inch
octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1886, this is an incredible
example of John Mahlon Marlin’s first entry into the lever action rifle market, which had already been dominated by Winchester for almost
two decades. While not as widely recognized as American icons as Winchester’s lever actions, Marlin’s rifles are no less legendary in the way that they
drove innovation and helped shaped the American arms markets of the 19th and 20th centuries. These 1881 rifles were a
product of patents by Marlin himself, as well as Andrew Burgess, H.F. Wheeler, and E.A.F. Toepperwein, and were
arguably a better, more robust rifle than anything Winchester had on offer at the time. This particular rifle was
manufactured prior to the model even being given this designation, being called simple “Marlin Repeating
Rifle” in company advertising until 1888, just before Marlin released their second model of lever action repeater.
When it was first released, the Model 1881 Marlin was one of the only repeating rifles on the market capable of
handling the most powerful cartridges of the time, such as the .45-70 Government cartridge like this example
is chambered in, making it highly desirable in the American West by those in search of unmatched firepower. It
would take five more years after the introduction of the Marlin Model 1881 for Winchester to release a model of
similar strength capable of utilizing the .45-70 cartridge. These rifles, particularly in standard configuration, were
often viewed as a tool and saw hard use on the frontier, leaving very few available to collectors in exceptional
condition like this one. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and patent dates ending with
1880, and the “45 Govt” caliber marking is at the breech. The matching full serial number is marked on the
bottom front of the receiver, left side of the upper and lower tang, and inside the buttplate. It is fitted with a
German silver “Rocky Mountain” blade front sight, an elevation adjustable “Rocky Mountain” notch rear sight, and a Lyman combination rear sight
mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a smooth steel buttplate.
LOT 57
Outstanding Marlin Model 1893 Lever Action Takedown Rifle in Desirable .38-55 W.C.F. with Factory Letter - Serial no. 281669,
38-55 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1903, this is an outstanding
example of a Marlin Model 1893 lever action rifle, chambered in
the desirable .38-55 W.C.F. cartridge. The Model 1893 was one
of the most prolific models in the Marlin lineup, with 850,000
to 1,000,000 estimated to have been produced before it was
discontinued in 1935, and it carried on with a spiritual successor
much longer in the Model 336. However, despite these
impressive production numbers, Model 1893s in high condition
remain few and far between. Just like their biggest competitor,
the Winchester Model 1894, the Marlin Model 1893 was highly
valued in the American West, or anywhere else where rugged
firepower was needed. The rifles remained popular among
ranchers, hunters, and lawmen well into the 20th century, regularly seeing long working
careers and hard use in unforgiving environments, leaving relatively few in high condition available for collectors, particularly in
the more standard “working gun” configurations like this example. The Marlin and Winchester rifles, along with Colt revolvers, have
become true pieces of Americana, showing the same rugged dependability as the American working and fighting men who carried
them. To this day, there are few things that personify the grit and determination of the American spirit better than a lever action rifle
or Single Action Army revolver. As far as non-deluxe Marlin Model 1893s are concerned, this particular rifle certainly finds itself among
the finest we have had the pleasure of offering here at Rock Island Auction Company. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .38-55 caliber with a 26
inch octagon barrel and in takedown configuration when it was shipped on 3 November 1903. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-
line Marlin address and patent dates, ending with 1893. The Special Smokeless Steel marking is on the upper left flat alongside the rear sight. The “38-55”
caliber marking is on top at the breech. The typical Marlin Safety marking is on top of the frame and the serial number is on the bottom, while the model
marking is on the upper tang. It is fitted with a set of “Rocky Mountain” type sights including a German silver blade front sight, an elevation adjustable
buckhorn rear sight, and the upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight on either side of the model marking. It is mounted with a smooth forearm
and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
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