GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE DELUXE ENGRAVED MARLIN MODEL 1889 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.MARLIN18896452338 WCF (38-40)Cal. 38 WCF (38-40). Beautiful deluxe Marlin with 24" oct bbl, 3/4 magazine, nickel silver Rocky Mountain front sight & long semi-buckhorn rear sight. Mounted with very highly figured, center crotch, flame & shell grain B-style checkered American walnut with serpentine grip, buttstock & crescent buttplate. Receiver is color case hardened and engraved by Conrad Ulrich on modified number one-style which consists of the vignette of a standing white-tail buck in a very detailed meadow scene surrounded by fine foliate arabesque patterns with shaded background. Left side is completely bordered by wavelet or latch hook patterns. Right side is engraved to match with matching foliate arabesque patterns and borders with light foliate arabesque patterns on side of the bolt. Light patterns of matching engraving also extend over the top of the receiver, top tang & bottom of the receiver. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle in Cal. 38 with 28" half-octagon bbl, half-magazine & pistol grip stock shipped Jan 25, 1892. Rifle was apparently returned to the factory for the new bbl & magazine tube. There were only about 39,000 Model 1889 Marlins produced, 1889-1899 in 3 Calibers, both deluxe and standard grade. Few survive today in any configuration or condition. Pictured on page 172 in Marlin Firearms book by Brophy. CONDITION: Very fine plus. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 98% crisp orig blue with only very faint sharp edge wear. Receiver retains about 75% faded case colors, turned silver on the bottom. Hammer retains bright case colors. Lever & buttplate retain faded case colors, turned silver on outer faces of lever. Wood has a couple of grain checks in the left side of the buttstock, otherwise it is sound with most of a fine restored finish. Crisp mechanics, brilliant shiny bore. 50178-2 JR219 (12,500-22,500)