"MARLIN MODEL 1881 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 22269. Cal. 38-55. Scarce small frame '81 with rare 26" oct bbl, German silver Rocky Mtn. front sight & a replacement Winchester-style ladder rear sight. Mounted with straight grain, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate. Serial number was observed on left side of top & bottom tangs under the wood, on front edge of buttstock under the metal & inside buttplate. Of the 16,379 Model '81 rifles that were made only 277 were produced with 26" bbls making this a very rare rifle. Reference Marlin Firearms, Brophy. Accompanied by a Marlin Firearms Co. letter identifying this rifle in caliber 38-55 with 26" bbl & shipped July 25, 1889. PROVENANCE: Leland Clapp Collection. CONDITION: Fair to good. Bbl retains about 60% orig blue turning plum & brown toward muzzle end. Magazine tube is a plum/brown. Receiver retains traces of blue in sheltered areas being mostly a mottled silver/brown patina. Forearm has a hairline over loading gate spring area with grain checks by buttplate & usual nicks, dings & scratches and overall retains a smooth hand worn patina. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong dark bore. 4-36029 JR80 (2,000-3,500)"
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