This first year production deluxe Model 1891 is a highly sought after rarity in Marlin collecting. Only a few early factory engraved Model 1891s are known to exist. It is indicative of Marlin's fine artistry towards the end of the 19th century. Manufactured in 1891, this rifle was built when renowned Master Engraver Conrad Ulrich was engraving most of the work for Marlin. Ulrich started with Marlin circa 1881 and was with the company until circa 1910. The Marlin patterns, including the engraving on this short rifle, were designed by Ulrich who was influenced by the 19th century masters L.D. Nimschke and Gustave Young. Conrad Ulrich spent a lifetime embellishing some of the finest high art firearms of the late 19th century to early 20th century. The rifle is pictured and identified in William Brophy's "Marlin Firearms" on page 179 where the "full octagon barrel, pistol grip and checkered deluxe stock, standard magazine, steel rifle butt plate, special order engraving, and No. B checkering" are called out. The engraved motif on the casehardened receiver matches Marlin's No. 3 pattern as illustrated in Brophy's "Marlin Firearms" on page 531. The engraving consists of extensive scrollwork and scroll borders along with finely detailed game scene vignettes. The left side of the receiver features two whitetail bucks in an oval panel, and the right side features a whitetail buck in a circular panel. The breech of the barrel has flourishes of scrollwork. Additional scrollwork is featured on the forend cap. The rifle is fitted with a Lyman beaded blade front sight, a fixed notched rear sight, and a folding tang peep sight. The top barrel flat has the standard two-line Marlin legend ahead of the rear sight and the inscription "W.L. Pierce. N.Y." near the breech. "MARLIN SAFETY" is marked on top of the receiver. The highly figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature multi-point checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 24 inch barrel in .22 caliber as well as stating the rifle was shipped on September 16, 1891. Although the high end finishes are not confirmed by the factory letter, the engraving and deluxe checkered pistol grip stock are definitely factory. Marlin records are notoriously incomplete. As noted Marlin expert William Brophy explained, "Unfortunately, the few remaining factory records do not, with any regularity, indicate if the gun was factory engraved or not."

Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 95% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The receiver retains 60% original case colors. The hammer and lever retain 40% original case colors. Patterns of original case colors remain on the buttplate and forend cap. The wood is also very fine with minor dings and scratches, most of the original varnish remaining, and a few blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An attractive example of a scarce factory engraved Marlin Model 1891 rifle as documented in William Brophy's "Marlin Firearms."