Manufactured by the Marlin Firearms Company circa 1884 to 1890. The animal panel scene engraved receiver is surrounded with floral scroll designs with a punch dot background. There is a round panel on each side with a bear in a mountain scene on the left and a deer in a wooded scene on the right. The upper left front of the receiver is marked "MARLIN FIRE ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CT. U.S.A./BALLARD'S PATENT NOV. 5, 1861.". The top barrel flat at the breech is marked "38-55". The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver and bottom barrel flat under the forearm. The barrel is equipped with a windage adjustable front globe sight, there are no provisions for a rear sight and there is a tang mounted mid range Vernier peep sight. Adjustable double set triggers, blue barrel, casehardened receiver and lever, and mounted with a multi-point checkered walnut forearm with a horn forend and pistol grip stock with a cheek piece and short prong nickel plated brass Swiss style buttplate. Comes with a leather covered hard case containing 126 brass casings, (some REM-UMC, some W.R.A. and some unmarked) and 6 25 count Winchester Repeating Arms Company 38 caliber 255 grain grooved lead bullets, 3 empty, three full.

Very fine. The barrel retains 60% original blue finish with streaks of blue on the round portion and the majority on the octagon part, which shows some edge wear. The receiver and lever retain 60% original fading case colors with a smooth dove gray patina on the balance. The wood is also very fine with some scattered minor dings, dents and handling marks. The checkering remains crisp. 95% of the original nickel plating remains on the buttplate with some edge wear. The markings and engraving remain crisp and clear. The action is fine. The case is very good with some edge and corner wear, and some scuffs. All ammunition boxes are good and the casings are excellent.