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LOT 3063
Incredibly Rare Ulrich Factory Game Scene Master Engraved, Monogrammed, and Gold and Platinum Inlaid Marlin Deluxe Model 1893 Lever Action Takedown Rifle - Serial no. 420464, 32 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an incredibly rare deluxe Marlin Model 1893 that features a factory No. 15 game scene engraving and was manufactured after 1906. The engraving was executed by renowned Master Engraver Conrad Ulrich. Along with intricate scrollwork on a punch dot background and borders, the receiver is beautifully decorated with game scenes. The left side of the receiver features an elk fending off a pack of wolves in a woodland scene, and the right side of the receiver features a mountain lion positioned high atop the scrollwork prepared to pounce on a whitetail deer in a woodland scene. The Marlin catalogue depiction for No. 15 engraving is illustrated on page 532 of “Marlin Firearms” by William S. Brophy. The receiver is accented with fine gold inlay at the rear and outlining engraved floral blossoms on the underside and right side. The scrollwork extends to the forend cap, takedown collar, lever and hammer and features light gold inlaid accents. The breech of the barrel is decorated with gold and platinum bands along with engraved flourishes of scrollwork. The top of the receiver has a platinum inlaid monogram: “FK.” According to the consignor, “FK” are the initials to the original owner, Frank Kernan of Silverton, Oregon. Kernan liked to drink, and during the Prohibition Era racked up a subnational debt owed to his liquor supplier. Unable to payoff his liquor bill with cash, Kernan settled his debt with this Marlin, c. 1932. The family of the bootlegger found this rifle hidden under attic floor boards after his passing. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail beaded blade front sight and a tang peep sight. The barrel is stamped with the two-line Marlin address/patent dates legend ending with “AUGUST 1 1893” ahead of the empty rear sight dovetail, “32 HPS” at the breech, and “SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL” on the upper left flat. The top of the receiver is stamped “MARLIN SAFETY.” The barrel is blued. The receiver, forend tip, loading lever and hammer have a color casehardened finish. The select walnut pistol grip stock and forearm feature factory No. G checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a steel buttplate with light engraving. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 60% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The breech of the barrel has worn to a smooth gray from spending years in the hand. The remaining metal surfaces have faded to gray with traces of original case colors remaining around the trigger. The engraving is crisp. Traces of original nitre blue remain on the loading gate. The very good wood displays all the character of being a period “working man’s rifle” with worn checkering associated with spending a lifetime in the hand and minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredibly rare Ulrich factory No. 15 engraved Marlin Model 1893 that proves all art does not hide behind glass. Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500