Page 41 - Auction84-Book3

Absolutely Sensational The Best of the Best
The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate. Matching serial number on the underside of the frame, stock inlet and buttplate. The accompanying photocopy of a factory letter confirms the 24 inch octagon barrel in .32 caliber and pistol grip stock. The factory letter also states the rifle was shipped on February 5, 1897. Although not confirmed by the factory letter, the engraving and deluxe checkered pistol grip stock are most certainly factory. 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.”
CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel and magazine tube retain 98% plus original blue finish. The receiver and hammer also retain 98% plus vivid original case colors. The engraving is crisp. The lever and buttplate retain 95% original case colors. The wood is also excellent with some minor handling marks, nearly all original varnish remaining and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Truly an exceptional factory engraved Marlin Deluxe Model 1892 Rifle worthy of the most advanced private or public collections.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000
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