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LOT 3017
Very Attractive Marlin Deluxe Model 1881 Lever Action Rifle
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 29745, 40-60 Marlin cal., 28
inch octagon bbl., blue finish, deluxe checkered walnut stock. The accompanying
factory letter confirms this exceptional Marlin Model 1881’s 28 inch barrel in .40-60 caliber and the pistol grip stock as well as
that this rifle was shipped on August 13, 1890. High end finishes were rarely noted in the Marlin factory records.
The deluxe stock on this rifle is factory original. The Marlin Model 1881 was meant as a “working man’s gun,” and Marlin customers were
generally not inclined to spend extra money on deluxe features, so very few Model 1881s left the factory with special order features, making examples like
this one especially desirable. The Model 1881 was the first lever action introduced by Marlin, and only 20,535 were manufactured between 1881 and 1903 compared to 63,871 of the Winchester Model 1876 it competed with. The Marlin was the stronger gun and could chamber the popular .45-70 Govt. cartridge, and it found buyers in the American West as is clearly shown in advertisements in the Dakotas, Montana, and elsewhere in the 1880s. This rifle is fitted with a combination Beach front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, and a tang mounted mid-range Vernier peep sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and “40 CAL” at the breech. The nicely figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock are checkered. The stock is fitted with a steel shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 80% original blue finish remaining and a very attractive smooth brown patina on the balance. There is some isolated minor pitting on and around the bolt and on the barrel towards
the front sight. The magazine tube has some tiny dents
visible near the center with some cold blue touch up
visible. The attractive wood is very fine with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. We rarely get the opportunity to offer high end, Deluxe Marlin Model 1881 rifles. Few special order Model 1881s were made, and most of the surviving rifles show significant signs of use making this high condition rifle especially desirable. Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection.
22 Estimate: 11,000 - 17,000