GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXTREMELY RARE DELUXE ENGRAVED MARLIN MODEL 1897 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.MARLIN189716551522MODERN; C&R; IVORYCal. 22. Outstanding small bore Marlin with 24” tapered oct bbl, full magazine, "certifiable antique ivory" bead combination front sight, slot blank in the rear seat & Lyman combination tang sight. Mounted with very highly figured, center crotch American walnut checkered in F-style with serpentine grip and “MFA CO” hard rubber buttplate. Receiver, forend cap and top tang are beautifully engraved by Conrad Ulrich in #5 patter with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns with pearled background. Engraving extends about 1-1/4” over top 3 flats of bbl. All screws are gold-washed and lever & hammer are color case hardened. Left side of top tang is marked with last 3 digits of matching SN and buttstock is matching numbered in top tang channel. According to Marlin Firearms, Brophy, there were about 81,000 Model 1897 rifles produced 1897-1916. These little rifles are rarely ever found today with high orig finish. They were usually considered to be boys or ladies rifles and most often saw hard service with little or no maintenance. The corrosive ammunition of that era ordinarily severely eroded the bore. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching. Bbl, magazine tube and receiver retain 98-99% strong orig blue with very minor high point wear. Lever & hammer retain nearly all of their orig case colors, faded on outer faces of lever. Gold-wash on the screws is strong and bright, lightly faded on left side of receiver. Wood is sound with handling & storage nicks and scratches and retains about all of its orig oil finish, slightly darkened near the receiver. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore, shows very little use. 49121-6 JR (25,000-35,000)