Page 133 - Auction84-Book3

LOT 3209
Exhibition Quality Factory Engraved Marlin No. 32 Standard 1875 Revolver with Desirable DeGress “Tiffany” Style Grips - Serial no. 5596, 32 Long RF cal., 3 inch solid rib bbl., nickel/gold finish, DeGress grips. This Marlin No. 32 Standard 1875 revolver was manufactured between 1875 and 1887 and has the longer cylinder designed for .32 long cartridges. It has extensive “New York” style engraving with scroll work patterns and punch dot backgrounds on over 75% of the metal surfaces. The cylinder
is gilded. The patterns are more extensive and higher quality than most other Marlin revolvers we have seen including some attributed to Nimschke. The revolver is also fitted with a set of “Lady Pattern” DeGress grips with a woman playing a tambourine on the right grip and the patent information on the left side. This same grip pattern is fitted on a similar No. 32 Standard on page 12 of The Gun Report’s article on “The DeGress ‘Tiffany’ Grips” from January 1972. Francis DeGress of Bloomfield, New Jersey, patented his method for molded “pistol handles” treated with acid and then gilded with silver in 1874. Examples of his molded grips have been seen on revolvers of multiple manufacturers. According to William S. Brophy in MARLIN FIREARMS: A HISTORY OF THE GUNS AND THE COMPANY THAT MADE THEM, “DeGress grips are desirable and a pistol fitted with them belongs in every serious Marlin collector’s collection.” The left side of the barrel is marked “J.M. MARLIN. NEW. HAVEN. CT, USA PAT. JULY 1 1873”, and “NO. 32 STANDARD 1875” is marked on the top of the rib. The left side of the grip frame has a “. .” marking and the serial number. The matching serial number is also marked on the barrel lug, and “96” is on the rear face of the cylinder.
CONDITION: Extremely fine. The revolver retains 85% plus of the original nickel plating with some flaking on the bottom of the frame and the grip straps. The exposed brass has an attractive aged patina. The cylinder retains 50% plus of the gold finish with a bright appearance on the balance. The grips are very fine with an aged copper patina. The designs and markings throughout are clear, and the action
is excellent. This is a beautiful gun and belongs in a serious Marlin collection. This combination of grips and master engraving is rarely available especially in this condition.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 12,000
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