98

Marlin Model 1889 Deluxe 38-40 SN: 66289

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Marlin Model 1889 Deluxe 38-40 SN: 66289
Period Engraved Deluxe, with the engraving attributed to Master Engraver Conrad Ulrich who did most of the engraving for Marlin at the time. Manufactured circa 1892. The top barrel flat is marked "MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A./PATENTED. OCT. 11. 1887, APRIL 2. 1889", ahead of the rear sight and "38-W" at the breech. The top of the receiver is marked "MARLIN SAFETY" .24" octagonal barrel with German silver front blade. V-notch adjustable rear sights. Full length tube magazine. Factory installed Lyman peep sight on tang, "H" code, stamped on the underside. Crescent steel buttplate, & fore cap. Deluxe stock with fine point checkering on grip. and forearm. Superb example of late 19th century Marlin artistry. The casehardened receiver is decorated with attractive factory floral scrollwork on a punch dot background, light scroll and line borders and a game scene depicting a stag in a circular panel on the left side. The motif is very similar to Marlin's No. 1 pattern as illustrated in Brophy's "Marlin Firearms" on page 531. At the time this rifle was manufactured, famed Master Engraver Conrad Ulrich, who spent a lifetime embellishing some of the finest high art firearms of the late 19th century to early 20th century, did most of the engraving for Marlin, and the embellishment on this rifle certainly follows a standard well-known Ulrich pattern encountered on Marlin arms. Bore is overall good, bright with good rifling, but has scattered light pitting. Blue on the barrel, & fore cap is mostly there, with some edge wear, slight handling loss on the lower barrel. The tube shows some slight areas of brown patina on the underside. The case colors on the frame, lever. hammer, & buttplate is mostly gone with only traces remaining, there is a small area of light pin-prick pitting. The bolt retains most of its hight polish blue, and the loading gate retains about 60% of its nitre blue finish. The stock is very good, with sharp checkering, some minor scratches/dings. Comes with shipping record from Cody Firearms Record Office, confirming the type/length of barrel, caliber, and stock configuration. Shipped November 26. 1892. Marlin expert William Brophy explained, "Unfortunately, the few remaining factory records do not, with any regularity, indicate if the gun was factory engraved or not." Factory engraved Model 1889s are rare. All the markings, & engraving are crisp/clear.
NRA Condition-Very Good as Antique Firearm.