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Marlin Model 1891 .22 Caliber Side Loader Rifle
Guns International #: 101342074 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Marlin Rifles - Antique - Antique Rifles - Cartridge
Seller's Information
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Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 45
Total Number of Listings: 584
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check
Description:
SALE PENDING! This is a rare little Marlin Model 1891 .22 Side Loader Rifle. They only made about 5,000 of these with the loading port on the right side before some bean counter at Marlin figured out they could save a lot of money by loading the shells through the magazine tube instead having to mill out the side of the frame and installing a loading port. This is how every company that makes a lever action .22 has been doing them ever since and its not a bad way to load them, but collectors love the look of these early 1891's. They are truly unique and just neat looking rifles. At shows, they really stand out to all the other .22 Lever Actions. Even to modern shooters, they always ask "What is that little rifle?" and "I've never seen one that loads from the side in .22 like that before!"
We don't turn these up very often and this one came from a dealer who was selling it for an elderly gentleman. The story we got was that it was original purchased by his grandfather and had been passed down from the family. It's a standard 1891 with the typical 3/4 magazine but there is one thing about it that is a bit unusual. It has a round barrel instead of an octagon. I showed this rifle to a Marlin Collector and he told me the round barrels are uncommon on this model. I called the serial number in (which is in the 54,000 range) to the Cody Museum to verify its configuration and it checked out as a round barrel Model 1891 in 22 that shipped on July 28, 1891. See Photo of the research sheet. Members of the BBHC can call the Museum to conduct a record search on Marlins, Winchesters, and LC Smith Shotguns. It's a great deal for prospective buyers who just want to verify a configuration of a rifle quickly at a show or an upcoming . You also get discounts if you want to turn that research into an official factory letter.
The overall condition of this rifle is in NRA Antique Very Good Plus Condition. The frame has about 25% original blue with the balance turning to a smooth brown patina...yet there is still some speckles of blue within the patina. The barrel and tube are about 60% original blue with the balance turned to patina. There are some dings, marks, and scratches on the barrel and receiver so its not a pristine gun but its in pretty decent shape for a nearly 130 year old .22! Most of these were given to boys to plink with and many of these really got put through the wringer. The walnut stock and forend have some nice subtle tiger striped figure...particularly the stock. We took photos in 2 different settings and different angles to get some decent photographs of the tiger stripes. Again, it is subtle but very attractive when you see it in the right lighting. It probably stood out more prominently when this rifle was new as the wood would have been varnished by the factory however, at some point, it was probably was getting worn or dried and flaky so someone very lightly cleaned it...probably to give it a more uniform appearance. Fortunately, it appears they cleaned it while it was on the rifle which actually saved the wood from having its edges rounded over or becoming noticeably undersized. As a result, the wood to metal fit was preserved and its even to nearly even to all metal edges. The other good news is the wood has zero chips, cracks, or repairs. It still has its original block style rear sight and front sight. The upper tang has the factory plugs for a tang sight...and there are no extra holes on this rifle. The markings are nice with the "MARLIN SAFETY" on the round top of the receiver and the early 1878, 1887, and 1890 Patent Dates on the barrel so it's definitely the original and not a later replacement barrel like so many antique .22's have! The knurlings on the hammer and side plate screw are still sharp. Action works nicely as does the hammer on half and full cock. The bore is about what you'd expect for a black powder era .22...it's pretty worn with light rifling and light pits but it's not dark, has no bad spots, no rings or bulges. A rare and attractive Marlin .22 Side Loader for a fair price!
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Marlin
Model: 1891 Side Loader
Caliber Info: .22