Manufactured from 1881 to 1892. The nickel plated receiver has a factory scroll engraving on a punch dot background along with circular panel game scenes depicting a deer on the left side and a buffalo on the right side. A deer head is engraved on the bolt. Conrad F. Ulrich, Jr. performed almost all of the engraving for Marlin from 1881 until 1910 when he went to work for Winchester. The rifle has a rare two-tone finish: blued barrel and magazine tube, and nickel plated forend cap, bolt and frame. The barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight and is stamped with the two-line legend ending with the reissue November 9, 1880 patent date ahead of the rear sight and "40 CAL" at the breech. The rifle has a folding peep sight graduated 0 to 90 and double set triggers. Mounted with highly figured walnut forearm and straight grip stock featuring multi-point checkering. This rifle is photographed and listed by serial number on pages 155 and 156 of "Marlin Firearms" by Brophy, which also notes it as an NRA medallion winner (medallion not included) from the 1981 NRA Show.

Very fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 50% original blue finish thinning to a brown. There is an area of minor pitting on the magazine tube. The frame, bolt and forend cap retain 80% original nickel plating with the balance a smooth gray patina. The lever has a mottled gray patina, and the buttplate is mostly a smooth brown patina. The engraving is crisp. The wood is fine with some minor dings and scratches and crisp recut checkering on the forearm. Mechanically excellent.