This is just a beautiful example of an all original, special order, deluxe factory engraved Marlin Model 1881 rifle with the desirable 28 inch barrel in the scarce 38-55 caliber. The serial number of this rifle places the manufacture circa 1885-1886. This was the first lever action rifle design by John Marlin, and it proved to be very popular with many customers out West. This rifle is a third model with the lightweight receiver and open top action. Both sides of the receiver are engraved with the Marlin Grade 1 or Grade B coverage that covers both sides of the receiver, the front underside and top area along with the top of the breech bolt. The left side has a panel with a running stag in a woodland scene surrounded with a beautiful scroll engraved pattern. The right side also has an oval panel scene that depicts a large grizzly bear standing on the side of a mountain also surrounded by the same fine scroll engraving. The top of receiver/bolt area, top tang and underside of the action all have a light diminutive scroll engraved pattern that compliments the sides of the receiver. As noted, it has the long 28 inch full octagon barrel (unusual for this caliber) with the late third pattern two line barrel markings that read: "MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CT.U.S.A." with the patent dates marking ending with "RE-ISSUE NOV. 9. 1880". The barrel has a Rocky Mountain front sight with silver blade and a buckhorn, adjustable sporting rear sight. It is fitted with a beautiful deluxe walnut pistol grip stock and forearm, with both featuring deluxe fine line checkering, with a hand rubbed varnish finish. The top rear barrel flat is "38-55" directly in front of the receiver. It is equipped with a full length magazine tube. It has a blue finish on the action, barrel and magazine tube with a color casehardened hammer, lever, forend cap and crescent buttplate. This is the first lever action rifle ever produced by the Marlin Firearms company, and it has always been regarded as a high quality rifle with Marlin manufacturing approximately 20,000 of these rifle between 1881 and 1892.

Excellent plus with 99% of the original blue finish overall. The receiver, lever, buttplate and forend tip all retain 98% of their vivid case colors overall with just a hint of some fading along the edges. The buttstock and forend are both in excellent condition with a beautiful grain pattern throughout with excellent fine line checkering and just a few minor handling marks on the sides of the stock from handling. The rifle actually looks like it is unfired and been correctly stored all of these years. Certainly for the discriminating, high end collector.