Manufactured in 1898. This spectacular Marlin Model 1893 Special Lightweight Rifle features relief carved game scenes on the receiver, gold and platinum inlays on the receiver, barrel, forend, loading lever and hammer and deluxe checkered stock. The barrel is blued. The receiver, forend tip, loading lever and hammer have a color casehardened finish. The stock and forearm have a low luster varnished finish, and the matching number stock is fitted with a black checkered hard rubber buttplate with the Marlin monogram in the center. The rifle features Marlin Grade No. 15 Engraving executed by Master Engraver Conrad Ulrich. The right side of the receiver features a game scene with a moose and is decorated with intricate scrollwork on a punch dot background. The left side of the receiver has a relief-carved panel that depicts three hounds and a stag at bay. The Marlin catalogue depiction for this scene is illustrated on page 532 of "Marlin Firearms" by William S. Brophy. A ram's head is relief-engraved in a circle on the bottom of the receiver and outlined with a gold inlay. The scroll engraving covers the top of the receiver, the upper receiver tang and the sides of the loading lever and hammer. The forend tip is engraved with relief carving and scrollwork. The rifle has gold inlays on the side of the bolt, the top and sides of the receiver, the sides of the loading lever and hammer and the forearm. The barrel is inlaid with alternating gold and platinum bands at the breech and has an oval gold inlay around the caliber designation: "30-30". The breech end of the barrel has light scroll engraving. The barrel is fitted with a folding leaf rear sight and a front sight with German silver blade. The top of the receiver is marked "MARLIN SAFETY" in an engraved panel. The barrel is roll stamped "-MARLIN FIRE-ARMS Co., NEW-HAVEN, CT. U.S.A.-" with arrows on either end above "PAT'D . OCT. 11. 1887. APRIL. 2. 1889. AUG. 1. 1893" ahead of the rear sight. The left side of the barrel is marked; "SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL." ahead of the receiver. The serial number is located on the underside of the receiver. Only five Marlin Model 1893 Marlin Special Lightweight Rifles with deluxe No. 15 relief engraving and gold and platinum inlays are known to have been manufactured. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Very fine. The rifle has 75% of the slightly faded original blue finish on the barrel. The case colors on the receiver and forend are difficult to rate, as the engraving is extensive, 40% are present with the balance having faded to a very attractive silver patina. The casehardened finish on the lower portion of the receiver and the sides of the loading lever and hammer retain most of the delicate case colors. The scroll work and relief engraved game scenes are deep and crisp. The stock and forearm are excellent with only minor handling and storage marks. The intricately checkered surfaces are sharp. This is a magnificent example of firearm engraving and one of the most highly decorated Marlin M1893 Special Lightweight Rifles known.