GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXTREMELY RARE DELUXE MARLIN MODEL 1888 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. MARLIN 1888 26061 32 WCF (32-20) Cal. 32 WCF (32-20) Exceptionally rare Marlin rifle with 26" oct to rnd bbl, half magazine, slightly damaged standard front sight and orig v-notch rear sight. Top flat of bbl has standard roll marking with patent date Oct. 11, 1887. Mounted with B-style checkered, very nicely figured, flame-grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate. Left side of upper tang, under the wood is marked with the matching SN which is also found on right front face of buttstock. Buttplate is unnumbered. According to Marlin Firearms, Brophy, there were a total of 4,814 Model 1880 rifles in three calibers produced in the period 1888-1892; however, only 4 were assembled after 1889. Of the grand total noted here only 23 had oct to rnd bbl. There is no indication of how many were made with deluxe checkered wood, but a reasonable assumption is that extremely few were so ordered making this one of the most rare of all Marlin rifles. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter listing the rifle in 32 cal. with special order 1/2 octagon bbl and half magazine, shipped Aug. 9, 1889. PROVENANCE: William "Pete" Harvey. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except buttplate which is unnumbered. Bbl and magazine tube retain 94-95% strong orig blue with some scattered fine surface etching. Receiver retains about 93-95% glossy orig blue, also with some minor light surface etching. Hammer retains dark case colors and the lever faded case colors on sides, turning silver on outer faces. Buttplate is mostly a silver gray patina. Wood is sound with a few minor nicks and scratches with the buttstock retaining an exceptional restored finish. Forearm retains about 96-97% bright orig finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 49877-1 JR (10,000-15,000)