Manufactured c. 1884 to 1890, Marlin marketed their "Union Hill" rifle as "a complete rifle at a moderate price", with the intentions of making it the "working man's" target rifle, sold for the reasonable price of $37.50 in the first year of production and $34 thereafter. These rifles are seen with modest checkering on the wood or without, and they came standard with a pistol grip stock with cheekpiece and a nickel plated off-hand buttplate, as well as double set triggers. The two standard calibers offered for this model were .32-40 and .38-55. For an extra cost of $3, Marlin would equip the rifle with their "improved mid-range" peep sight and a windgauge front sight like seen on this example. This example has the standard two-line Marlin address and Ballard patent marking on the left of the receiver and caliber marking on top of the barrel at the breech. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver, bottom of the barrel, rear face of the forearm, and inside the buttplate. The butt of the stock under the buttplate is stamped "L.M.P." It is fitted with a special order Marlin-Ballard windgauge front sight, no provision for a rear sight on the barrel, and a scarce Soule windgauge elevation peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth Schnabel tip forearm and pistol grip stock with cheekpiece and a nickeled off-hand buttplate.

Fine, retains 50% plus of the thinned original blue finish and 40% of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered patches of light spotting. The wood is also fine with a small splice in the forend, some scattered light handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.