GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXTREMELY FINE RARE TAKEDOWN SPECIAL ORDER DELUXE "EXHIBITION GRADE" CONRAD ULRICH ENGRAVED MARLIN MODEL 1894 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.MARLIN189413145832-20ESACal. 32-20. Blue and color case hardened with 24" oct to rnd bbl, half magazine and Beech's ivory bead combination front sight, a Lyman No. 6 2-leaf sight in rear seat and a large loop Lyman tang sight. Top of bbl is full length factory matted and has standard Marlin markings on top flat forward of rear sight. Mounted with very highly figured straight grain American walnut with "G" style checkering and pistol grip stock with serpentine grip and Marlin embossed hard rubber buttplate. Receiver is #3 engraved by Conrad Ulrich with the large oval vignette of a grazing bull elk in a forest scene on left side surrounded by wonderful foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Right side of receiver has nearly full coverage foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background and a foliate pattern back of the loading gate opening. Side of bolt, lever boss, bottom of receiver, takedown ring and forend cap are engraved to match. Top side flats and side flats of bbl are engraved in light arabesque patterns over chamber area as is the top tang which also has a flower blossom around tang screw. Top of receiver is engraved in various border patterns with light arabesque patterns and is marked "MARLIN SAFETY". Left side of upper tang, under the wood is marked with matching SN. Top tang channel of buttstock is marked with the SN "131475". Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter identifying this rifle as a takedown model in 32-20 caliber with 24" half oct bbl, pistol grip and half magazine shipped on March 21, 1896. It was returned May 18, 1896, Dec. 5, 1896, Dec. 23, 1896, Jan. 26, 1901, Feb. 13, 1901 and Feb. 22, 1901. There is no indication as to what may have been done to this rifle during these many returns for repair but it is apparent that the stock was changed early on given the SN in the stock top tang channel is so close to the SN of this rifle. There is little doubt that the wood is factory installed. It has been noted by Marlin Scholars that the numerous factory returns noted in the factory letter were not for repair, but rather is indicative of a Factory Exhibition rifle's history of display and subsequent return from various promotional events. This gun features special order extremely fine checkering (32 lines/sq.inch) which is also indicative of an exhibition gun. The takedown locking cam is the rare short flush-type locking cam as pictured on p. 671 in the Marlin Firearms Book by Brophy. PROVENANCE: Ex-Randy Gott Collection; Ex-Frank Kelley Collection; Ex-Wes Adams Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus. Overall retains 98-99% strong orig factory finish with bright strong blue on bbl and magazine tube with only light muzzle edge wear. Receiver, takedown ring, lever and hammer retain virtually all of their strong, bright factory case colors, slightly faded on takedown ring and top edge of hammer. Wood is sound with one or two very minor handling and storage nicks and scratches in the finish and overall retains virtually all of its orig factory finish with some minor crazing on left side of buttstock. Checkering shows very minor diamond point wear. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, may be unfired. 50412-22 JR (30,000-50,000)