Manufactured in 1894 and subsequently restored in the 20th century, this rifle features attractive Marlin No. 2 factory engraving with gold inlaid game scene oval borders and fancy grade and checkered walnut stock and forearm. The no. 2 engraving on this rifle was created and almost certainly executed by the shop of renowned master engraver Conrad F. Ulrich. Ulrich, as noted by William Brophy on page 533 of "Marlin Firearms," executed almost all of the engraving on Marlin firearms during the period of 1881 to 1910. Both sides of the receiver are decorated with scroll borders and fine scrollwork on punch dot background flaking the gold outlined game scenes. The left side engraving depicts a whitetail buck running in an open clearing. The right side is adorned with a standing whitetail buck standing at the edge of a forest. Light flourishes of scrollwork appear on the upper left and right barrel flats at the breech and sides of the forend cap. The top of the barrel is factory matted and is marked with the two-line Marlin legend ahead of the rear sight and the caliber designation at the breech. The rifle is fitted with a combination Beach front sight, a folding two leaf rear sight, and a folding tang peep sight. A sling swivel is mounted on the underside of the forend cap. The half length magazine tube is another special order feature. The top of the receiver is marked "MARLIN SAFETY." The buttstock is fitted with a casehardened crescent buttplate. The receiver, takedown collar, hammer, and lever are also casehardened. It is mounted with fancy grain walnut forearm and pistol grip stock featuring Marlin "F" pattern checkering.

Very fine. The barrel, magazine tube, and forend cap retain 70% thin faded original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 40% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The remaining metal surfaces retain 95% plus professionally restored case colors. The engraving is crisp. The re-checkered wood has some very scattered mild handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive example of late 19th century Marlin artistry that would make for a standout piece to any lever action or highly embellished arms collection.