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   LOT 3020
Exceptional Antique Factory
Engraved Marlin Deluxe Model 1894 Lever Action
Takedown Rifle with Marlin Factory Letter - Serial no. 128458, 38-40 WCF cal., blue
finish, 24 inch half octagon bbl., fancy walnut stock. Manufactured 1895, this high condition Marlin Model 1894 Takedown Rifle is beautifully embellished with factory Ulrich pattern engraving. The receiver is decorated with fine scrollwork on a punch dot background, borders and a game scene depicting a bull and cow elk in a meadow scene. The engraving
matches the Marlin factory No. 3 pattern as illustrated in Brophy’s “Marlin Firearms” on page 531. Engraved scrollwork extends to the forend cap and takedown collar. Simple scrolls adorn the exposed barrel flats at the breech. When this rifle was manufactured, famed Master Engraver Conrad Ulrich was performing most of the engraving for Marlin. The Marlin patterns, including the motif featured on this stunning example,
were designed by Conrad Ulrich who was influenced by the late 19th century masters L. D. Nimschke and Gustave Young. By the early 20th century, Ulrich’s son, Alden George Ulrich, was engraving for Marlin, continuing his father’s legacy of producing high quality high art firearms. The rifle is fitted with a Marble No. 3 deluxe front sight with flip up white bead, a Marble folding adjustable leaf rear sight, and a rare Marbles automatic flexible tang
sight. The half octagon barrel and half magazine are additional special order features. The screws are plated in gold. The hammer and lever have a casehardened finish. The remaining surfaces are blued. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured select walnut and have the No. B multi-point factory checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a hard rubber Marlin monogram buttplate. The included factory letter by noted Marlin historian William Brophy authenticates the 24 inch, half octagon barrel in .38-40 caliber, 1/2 magazine, gold screws, No. 3 engraving, “B” checkering, blued receiver, pistol grip stock, hard rubber buttplate, takedown configuration, and tang sight as well as stating the rifle was shipped in 1896. Marlin Model 1894s are rarely encountered documented as factory engraved.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel and magazine retain 95% original blue finish showing wear from a previously installed longer rear sight. The receiver retains 85% plus original blue finish. The engraving is crisp. 80% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. 50% original gold wash remain on the screws. The refinished wood is very fine with a reglued piece at the toe, some minor handling marks, most of the varnish remaining, and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. No Marlin collection can be considered complete without a factory engraved lever action rifle. This excellent condition example of Marlin artistry will make a great addition to any Marlin, lever action or firearms art collection no matter how advanced.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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