This rifle was originally manufactured c. 1881-1891 by the Marlin Firearms Company and later outfitted with a Stevens-Pope barrel from the early 1900s. The Stevens-Pope barrels were manufactured c. 1901-1907. The barrel has a windgauge globe front sight, "STEVENS-POPE.MANUFACTURED BY THE J. STEVENS ARMS & TOOL CO. CHICOPEE FALLS. MASS. U.S.A." between the two scope mounting blocks, and "P/980" and "18/141" on the underside. The upper tang has a Vernier peep sight. The left side of the frame is marked "MARLIN FIRE ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CT. U.S.A./BALLARD'S. PATENT. NOV. 5. 1861." The frame has fine scroll engraving with lined backgrounds, heart borders, and vignettes of a stag and doe. The rifle is equipped with adjustable double set triggers and a spurred finger loop lever with a wood cover on the spur that can serve as a palm rest. The Schuetzen style stock and forearm have multi-point checkering, a horn forend tip, swept cheek-rest, and nickel Swiss buttplate with knurling.

Fine with 85% plus blue on the period Stevens-Pope replacement barrel, silvered out gray and dark brown patina on the casehardened action along with some oil staining, crisp engraving, 95% plus nickel plating on the buttplate, and general mild wear. The wood is also fine and has mostly crisp checkering with worn spots mainly on the forearm wear a palm rest was previously mounted, general light scratches and dings, small hairline cracks at the junction with the rear of the frame, and small chips on the edge of the forend tip. Mechanically fine.