Description:
MARLIN 1881 DELUXE RIFLE
FACTORY ENGRAVED BY NIMSCHKE!
General Specs: Marlin Arms, Year 1888, .32-40, 8lbs 5oz, Lever Rifle
Serial Number: 16681
What an incredible piece of history we have before us in this antique Marlin Deluxe special order rifle. Can you imagine ordering a gun like this in 1887 and taking delivery at the local general store in February 1888? What the town's people must have thought, and what pride of ownership the gent must have had. This is a very rare example of John Marlin's first lever action repeating rifle, with only 16,378 made. The Cody Firearms Museum letter gives us the basics; Model 1881, .32-40 caliber, 28" barrel, shipped 1888. As noted in Colonel Brophy's seminal book on Marlin guns entitled "MARLIN FIREARMS --- A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them", the early records did not record whether the guns were ordered with engraving, or other special order features. However, the gun does speak for itself, and we know that it was ordered on the small frame used for the .32-40 and the .38-55 with the special ordered heavy octagon barrel, that it was ordered with Deluxe grade English walnut, factory checkered buttstock and forend, a Lyman Ivory Bead front sight, and factory engraving. Louis Daniel Nimschke is given credit in Brophy's book for most all of the engraved 1881 rifles, and if you look at the hand of the engraving, it is definitively Nimschke's signature scroll and game scenes. Only 1785 of these rifles were made in the .32-40 caliber, and only 1303 with pistol grip butt stocks. Only a tiny handful were factory engraved. BEST OF ALL---THIS RIFLE IS UNTOUCHED AND RETAINS 45% FADING FACTORY CASE COLOR, 95% FACTORY BLUE, AND MOST ALL OF THE FACTORY WOOD FINISHES! The factory checkering has never been recut, and the bore is mirror shiny with all of the rifling crisp and clear, the screws are in excellent condition, and there is no pitting inside or out. There is one tiny split just starting on the left side of the forend wood that is of no consequence. The mechanics are crisp and excellent in all ways. A Marlin with identical engraving sold in the December Rock Island for $51,750 and appears to have had a replaced forend wood. We are offering this historic rifle at a very modest price making it a great investment opportunity and fleeting chance to own a piece of history at a bargain price. DON'T LET THIS ONE GET AWAY!
Barrels
Barrel Length: 28" special order heavy barrel*****
Bores: excellent mirror bore*****
% Blue: 97% factory*****
Sights: Lyman #1 tang*****
Action
Action: clean and tight *****
Case Color: 45% factory faded*****
Screws: excellent*****
Engraving: factory engraved Louis Nimschke*****
Trigger Type: crisp*****
Stock
Type: "S" style pistol grip, english walnut*****
LOP: 13 3/8"*****
LOP To End Of Wood: 13"*****
Checkering Condition: excellent factory untouched*****
Butt Treatment: crescent steel butt plate*****
There are more photos upon request. We offer a 30 day mechanical warranty on this fine shotgun. Call us for full details. PLEASE SEE MY OTHER FINE VINTAGE FIREARMS. Just open one of my ads and click on the line that says “see all items from this seller” and a very nice list of fine sporting and collectible arms will appear. I have many more fine sxs shotguns not yet listed. Thanks for looking!
We employ a full time gunsmith on premises and can perform alterations to suit your needs within a few weeks of purchase.
Condition:
Used, Minor Wear
Brand:
MARLIN FIREARMS CO
Model:
16681
Caliber:
.32 (other)
Location:
MI
Trades Accepted:
Shipping Notes: Payment Methods: Money Order, Certified Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer*****
Inspection Period / Return Policy: Three Days from the date the item was received.*****
Sales Tax: 6% Michigan Only*****
Shipping & Insurance: Ground $140.00 We ship internationally!*****
Item Condition: Used*****
Requires FFL?: NO, ANTIQUE*****
LET ME SELL YOUR GUNS!!! As you can see, I do a thorough job, am nationally known, and have hundreds of existing customers looking for your gun! Federally licensed dealer of Classic American Doubles, i.e. Fox, Parker, Ithaca, L.C. Smith, Lefever. Guns must be shipped to licensed dealer. Layaways accepted. No returns on layaways. I BUY SHOTGUNS, COLLECTIONS OR ONE AT A TIME.
