September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
Caliber .40 bore(40-60), Barrel length is 26-1/2"This was Marlin's first foray into the lever action big bore field. They were produced 1881-1892. This rifle features a full octagon barrel, half magazine, blue finish and walnut stocks with smooth steel shotgun butt. The barrel and tube obtain approximately 80% original blue finish with minor age freckling. The frame retains approximately 95% of its original high polish factory mirror blued finish. the lever shows traces of color in recesses with fair amount still on hammer. The walnut stocks are excellent, proud to metal, no cracks or chips with the majority of the original factory finish intact. The bore is mint and action perfect. It wears standard sporting front and rear sights. It has a flat proper muzzle with proper front sight setback. Given the extensive amount of original finish that still remains on this rifle it defies explanation as to why the barrel is 26-1/2", as it must have been either a period professional alteration given that the weapon shows very light use or was custom ordered as you do not generally find shortened barrels on guns who's high condition defies such logic. In either case, it is a beautiful high conditioned big bore with the special order half magazine and smooth shotgun butt that has seen very little use over its 150 year life time.