Page 255 - Auction84-Book3

LOT 3480
Rare and Unique Marlin Prototype Open Top Slide Action 22 Caliber
Rifle - Serial no. 6, 22 LR cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is a unique example of a very rare Marlin Firearms Co. prototype pump action rifle chambered in 22. This rifle is in superb condition and interestingly enough it has all the typical Marlin
characteristics of their rifles however it has the slide action, “Open Top” receiver that is almost identical to the Winchester Model 62
pump action rifle. Even more interesting is that this rifle was purchased from the Olin factory collection when they sold off many of the excess rifles, 15-20 years ago. Could this rifle actually be a Marlin pump action rifle that was designed and built to compete with the highly successful
Winchester Model 1890/1906/62 product line? Could this rifle have even been produced by
Marlin and then Winchester purchased the rifle and design rights from the Marlin Rifle company with the intent to keep it off of the market and prevent competition between the two companies? We will never know. The rifle itself is
totally unmarked except for the single digit serial number stamped on top of the breech end of the barrel. However the rifle has numerous outward/design
characteristics that are very similar to the exposed hammer, Marlin rifles models, 18, 20 and 29 that were produced in the 1910-1932 time frame. Most notably is the very squared
receiver profile, with the classic “split receiver” type action that was held together by a single screw. This type of action was used on various Marlin rifles even through the Model 39s,
also the short pistol grip style stock and the grooved, tapered, style pump handle. Also the receiver also has the short lower tang, that is almost identical the later manufactured,
Winchester Model 61 pump action rifle. The buttstock has the standard black plastic butt plate that is embossed in the center with an oval panel marked “Marlin” which someone has
non-professionally tried to remove the Marlin name, however you can still see the partial “M” and “n” in the name.
CONDITION: Extremely fine, 80% plus of the original blue finish overall with edge and high spot wear overall with thinning and blue loss on the upper rear area of the barrel, where you typically holding on to these types of rifles, the side of the pump handle slide, and rear areas of the action where it fits into the buttstock. The very fine stock and pump handle retain most of their original factory varnish showing minor handling marks and light pressure dent form actual use and handling. The rifle hand cycles correctly and is a complete and fully functional rifle. Certainly worth doing some additional research on with the Marlin factory. Certainly a very rare and unique early Marlin Firearms Company, Prototype slide action rifle.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 15,000
LOT 3481
Extremely Rare Marlin-Rockwell Model 41 Slide Action Rifle - Serial
no. 17231, 32-20 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. One of the few
sporting arms manufactured by the Marlin-Rockwell Corporation, this Model 41 is as rare as it gets. This rifle is reportedly the only Model 41 to have been manufactured. Features wise, it is very similar to the Model 27S, except with a receiver mounted tang sight and a
filler block in the rear sight dovetail. The octagon
barrel features a beaded blade front sight and
the aforementioned filler block with the Marlin-Rockwell address on the top flat and “Special Smokeless Steel” marking
on the upper left flat near the receiver and “32-20M” caliber marking on the top flat at the receiver. The upper tang features the “Marlin/Mod. 41” marking with the serial number
on the left side below the stock line. A matching serial number is stamped in the inlet of the stock.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% blue finish on the barrel with the balance thinning to brown, edge wear, a ding
on the right side, and scattered spotting. Receiver retains 60% original blue finish with the balance thinning to a brown
patina, scattered scratches, and scattered pitting and spotting. Wood is very good with some original varnish remaining and numerous scattered dings
and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
253