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VERY EARLY MARLIN MODEL 1881 DELUXE LEVER ACTION

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
VERY EARLY MARLIN MODEL 1881 DELUXE LEVER ACTION

RIFLE. Cal. 40 (40-60 Marlin). S# 226. Bbl. 28" octagon. German silver blade Rocky Mountain front sight with elevator adjustable sporting rear. Full length mag. Rare rebated receiver. While “Marlin Firearms” by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy States that fewer than 600 Model 1881 rifles were produced with rebated receivers, more recent extensive research done by Mr. Runge and fellow Marlin enthusiast Rick Regnier indicate that fewer than 300 were actually manufactured. Blued finish with case colored hammer, lever, forearm cap & Model 1881 style steel buttplate. Stock & forearm of fancy thin shell walnut with hand checkering of the Ballard style. 9 lbs 14.2 oz. CONDITION: barrel retains 60% dull lightly faded blue showing edge wear & freckling. Mag. tube retains 60% blue fading to brown. Action has faded to a mottled blue / gray appearance. Top tang has 3 added holes for sight attachment, 2 are epoxy filled. Wood & checkering show wear with scattered handling marks. Bore retains sound rifling with light pitting. PROVENANCE: From the life long collection of Robert Runge. (01-21653/DS). ANTIQUE. $5,000-8,000.