"MARLIN MODEL 1881 SPECIAL ORDER SMALL RECEIVER LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 16708. Cal. 32-40. Standard grade rifle with very rare 24" oct bbl, full magazine, German silver Rocky Mtn. front sight & altered Marlin semi-buckhorn rear sight. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate. Only 16,379 of these rare rifles were ever made and of that total only 2,788 had 24" bbls. Reference Marlin Firearms, Brophy. Accompanied by a Marlin Firearms Co. letter identifying this rifle in caliber 32-40 with 24" bbl shipped July 9, 1887. PROVENANCE: Leland Clapp Collection. CONDITION: Good to very good. Metal retains 75-80% thinning orig blue turning plum, thinner on magazine tube. Loading port has some pry marks with a few scratches on receiver. Forearm has repaired cracks over loading gate spring & repaired cracks in wrist with an open crack through bottom tang screw hole. Overall forearm retains a dark, hand worn patina with buttstock most of a light restored finish. Mechanics are fine, strong dark bore. 4-36024 JR64 (2,000-3,000)"
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