Manufactured prior to 1898 in desirable 45-70 caliber. It has German silver blade, elevation adjustable and tang peep sights, a top barrel flat marked with the two-line address/patent date information ahead of the rear sight and "45-70" and the top of the frame is marked "MARLIN SAFETY." The barrel lacks the special smokeless steel marking, indicating that the rifle is early production for black powder cartridges.