Manufactured from 1913 to 1923. This was Marlin's first slide action shotgun that was commercially sold with the hammerless design. Total production was only approximately 6,000, with very few having been factory engraved. The engraving and inlay are in the pattern and style of George Ulrich and match work he did for Marlin and on some Winchester shotguns he did after leaving Marlin. Similar engraved Model 28s are identified as being engraved by Ulrich in William Brophy's "Marlin Firearms." The receiver has full coverage engraving consisting of scrollwork on a punch dot background, borders and game scenes. Semi-relief games scenes outlined in gold inlay are featured on the sides of the receiver: two dogs on point on the left side and two ducks taking flight in a marsh scene on the right side. Each side of the receiver also has two smaller game scene engravings depicting a single bird of either a woodcock or grouse. Gold inlaid bands adorn the receiver at the front and rear. The scrollwork extends to the trigger guard, breech end of the barrel and slide bar band. The shotgun has dual white bead sights on a matte solid rib, the two-line address/patent dates marking on the left side of the barrel, jeweled bolt and follower and the serial number surrounded by engraving on the underside of the receiver. The highly figured walnut forearm and straight grip stock feature multi-point No. B checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a solid recoil pad.

Very fine, retaining 90% original blue finish with slight thinning to brown on bottom of trigger guard and slide wear on the balance. The engraving is crisp. The buttstock is also very fine with some minor handling marks, crisp checkering overall and retaining most of the revarnished finish. The recoil pad has hardened. The forearm is very fine with most of the oil finish. Mechanically excellent. This is a scarce factory engraved and gold inlaid grade D Model 28 shotgun that would be hard to improve upon. A must have for any serious Marlin collector! It is not often that we catalog grade D Marlins!