July 24-25, 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2015
The factory letter states that this rifle was shipped on April 16th, 1884 with a 30" octagon barrel in caliber .45-70. This special order rifle features a 30" extra heavy full octagon barrel, 28" standard magazine tube, chambered for the .45-govt-70 cartridge, a German silver front blade sporting sight, walnut stocks and crescent buttplate. Top barrel flat is stamped "J.P. Lower Denver Col." and has the 1876 dated folding ladder rear sight. As to condition, this rifle is basically brown patina with some original blue showing through. The walnut stocks are very good, with usual bumps and dings and a small chip on forend but is still solid. It appears to have an added coat of finish and is a bit shy to metal. There are two magazine hanger dove-tails. It is in fine working order, rifling is well defined with the typical abrasion caused by black powder. Has special order large forend to accommodate the extra heavy barrel. This gun has seen much use on the Frontier. The mere mention of the famed Western dealer solidifies its use on the Frontier during the turbulent 1880's. This rifle is an extremely early example, manufactured in 1884. Given the special order features and the historical destination, this is a very intriguing big bore Marlin rifle.CORRECTION: Strong rifling with unusual abrasions. J.P. Lower stamp verified by expert lower collector Dave Lanara.