GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
VERY RARE DELUXE ENGRAVED MARLIN 1ST MODEL 1891 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.MARLIN18915852022Cal. 22. Fine deluxe ’91 rifle with 24” oct bbl, 2/3rds magazine and orig fixed sights. Mounted with very highly figured, center crotch American walnut, B-style checkered with crescent buttplate. Buttstock & buttplate are matching numbered to this rifle. Receiver is engraved by Conrad Ulrich in #3 style which consists of the rnd vignette of a standing whitetail buck on the left side surrounded by foliate arabesque patterns with latch-hook borders. Right side has full coverage foliate arabesque patterns with matching borders. Bolt is a more recent replacement, engraved by another hand. Few of these early loading gate small bore Marlins survive today in any condition. Deluxe examples are rare and engraved specimens extremely rare. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle in Cal. 22 with 24” oct bbl and pistol grip shipped, Nov 25, 1891 CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl and magazine tube retain about 80-85% dull blue/brown patina with strong blue in sheltered areas. Forend cap retains about 40% thin blue. Receiver is faded case colors turning grey. Lever, hammer and buttplate are dark patina. Wood is sound with nicks, dings and scratches and light oil staining around the wrist, a little heavier on the forearm, and the checkering shows moderate wear. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore, frosty in the grooves. Fewer than 10 engraved Sideloaders are known to exist. 49121-14 JR (8,000-12,000)