"MARLIN MODEL 1881 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 8931. Cal. 40 (40-60). Very rare '81 with 30" heavy bbl, 28" magazine, German silver Rocky Mtn. front sight, Marlin semi-buckhorn rear sight. It has 2nd type receiver with split carrier & dbl set triggers. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock & smooth steel semi-crescent buttplate. Accompanied by a Marlin Firearms Co. letter identifying this rifle as caliber 40-60 with 30" oct bbl, & shipped Oct. 2, 1884. There are no known production figures for heavy bbl rifles but, of the 16,379 rifles produced only 780 of them had 30" bbls & 2,929 had set triggers. Reference Marlin Firearms, Brophy. PROVENANCE: Leland Clapp Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains about 85% strong orig blue mixed with flaked patina. Magazine tube retains 75-80% thin orig blue with a few spots of light discoloration. Receiver retains 88-90% glossy orig blue, thinning on raised areas with a few light scratches. Lever retains 50-60% faded case colors with balance turned silver. Hammer retains about 90% strong case colors.lForearm has a tiny hairline over loading gate spring, otherwise wood is sound with light handling & use marks & retains most of its orig varnish turned dull on forearm. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a ring about an inch from muzzle. 4-36023 JR71 (10,000-15,000)"
Back to the index
|
