The accompanying factory letter confirms this exceptional Marlin Model 1881's special order extra length 28 inch barrel in .45-70 caliber, double set trigger, and pistol grip stock when it was shipped on December 18, 1889. High end finishes were rarely noted in the Marlin factory records. The deluxe stock on this rifle is factory original. The nicely figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock are checkered, and the stock is fitted with a casehardened crescent steel buttplate. The Marlin Model 1881 was meant as a "working gun," and Marlin customers were generally not inclined to spend extra money on deluxe features, so very few Model 1881s left the factory with special order features, making examples like this one especially desirable. The Model 1881 was the first lever action introduced by Marlin, and only 20,535 were manufactured between 1881 and 1903 compared to 63,871 of the Winchester Model 1876 it competed with. The Marlin was the stronger gun and could chamber the popular .45-70 Govt. cartridge, and it found buyers in the American West as is clearly shown in advertisements in the Dakotas, Montana, and elsewhere in the 1880s. This gun too made it to the West as it is inscribed to a known Western settler. The right side of the receiver is period inscribed with the name "C.F. LUEBBEN," and the inscription certainly has the appearance of being factory. The rifle was owned by German immigrant Charles Frederick Luebben (1874-1947). He came to the U.S. in 1896 and earned a living as a farmer/labor in several western states including Montana, Idaho, and California. Knowing that this gun made it out West makes its high condition even more impressive. Western guns were meant to be used, and their condition generally shows hard use. This deluxe Model 1881 was extremely well cared for, nearly having the appearance of just coming off factory production line. At the time of his death at the age of 72 in March 1947, Luebben was employed as a woodcutter on the Homer Hawkins ranch in the Ophir district, California. Cause of death was a heart attack. He was survived by his brother who lived in San Francisco and worked in the restaurant business. Included are census reports, obituary, and death certificate related to Luebben. The rifle is fitted with a combination Beach front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, and a tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and "45 GOVT" at the breech.

Excellent to near mint, retaining 98% plus bright original high polished blue finish with slight thinning to brown on the balance. The inscription is crisp. The hammer, lever, and forend cap retain 95% original case colors. 60% original case colors remain on the buttplate. The highly figure wood is also excellent with minor dings and scratches and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A spectacular deluxe Marlin Model 1881 rifle that will be a standout piece in any lever action or western collection. This rifle stands as a testament to the western spirit and is worthy of the finest private or public collection.