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LOT 3465
Magnificent Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid Marlin Deluxe Model 20 Slide Action Rifle -
Serial no. 9125, 22 S L LR cal., 23 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, highly figured deluxe walnut stock.
The receiver is spectacularly factory engraved (reportedly #10) with Ulrich patterns consisting of
profuse floral scrollwork on a punch dot background and large panels of small game scenes outlined
in gold inlay. The vignette on the left side of the receiver depicts two squirrels in a tree, and the vignette on the right side of the receiver depicts two rabbits.
Both sides of the receiver have full coverage engraving. The bottom of the receiver is engraved to match. The top of the receiver ring is engraved with a
floral flourish and has gold and platinum inlaid bands. These inlaid bands are repeated on the barrel at the breech along with light engraved scrolls that extend about 2 inches. Light scrollwork decorates the trigger guard. Additional scrollwork appears on the buttplate. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail beaded blade front sight, a filler block in the rear sight seat, and a Lyman tang peep sight. The top of the receiver is factory drilled and tapped for sight mounting. The top barrel flat has the standard two-line Marlin address/patent dates legend. The matching serial number is found on the left side of the upper tang, buttplate and stock inlet. The highly figured select walnut stock and forearm have Marlin factory “F” pattern checkering. A very similar example with the addition of a light hammer engraving is pictured on page 444 of “Marlin Firearms” by Brophy on which he calls it “one of the two finest pump action .22 rifles produced by Marlin.” The factory engraving, gold and platinum inlays and “F” checkered deluxe wood make for a rare combination of features, and this Model 20 is most certainly a spectacular example of Marlin artistry.
CONDITION: Extremely fine. The barrel retains 95% original blue finish with a few scattered small patches of pitting. The magazine tube has a smooth gray patina mixed with 40% original blue finish. The receiver retains 95% original blue finish. The trigger guard is has a plum blue appearance. The wood is very fine with some minor dings and scratches and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000