Antique Special Order Marlin Deluxe Model 1881 Lever Action Rifle .40-65 WCF

Description:
Manufactured in 1886, this special-order deluxe Marlin Model 1881 is a highly desirable collector’s rifle with major historical significance as Marlin’s first repeating rifle design. Robust, elegant, and richly configured, it represents the early arms race between Marlin and Winchester during the golden age of American lever-action rifles.

• Manufactured in 1886, placing it directly in the important early era of Marlin repeating rifle production
• Desirable Marlin Model 1881 rifle:
  • Marlin’s first repeating rifle design
  • A landmark model that helped establish the company’s reputation for strong, reliable lever-action rifles
  • Built to handle the most powerful cartridges of its day
• Special ordered deluxe configuration, making this example especially attractive to collectors
• Historically significant design:
  • Incorporated multiple patents, including those from Andrew Burgess and John Marlin himself
  • Engineered to be stronger than any repeating rifle then available on the market
  • Considered more powerful and advanced than Winchester’s toggle-link action rifles of the period
• Important Winchester-Marlin historical context:
  • The Model 1881 immediately outclassed Winchester’s toggle-link rifles of the time
  • This rifle was produced the same year Winchester introduced its competing Model 1886
  • Winchester’s Model 1886 was designed by John Moses Browning and became Winchester’s first rifle capable of handling the same powerful cartridges as the Marlin 1881
  • Although the Model 1881 was extremely robust and reliable, Winchester’s stronger brand recognition in the American West helped it out-market Marlin
• Barrel markings:
  • Top barrel flat has the standard two-line address and patent dates
  • Breech is marked “40 CAL.”
  • The “40 CAL.” marking is followed by a non-factory stamped “65”
• Serial-number details:
  • Serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver
  • Matching serial number appears on:
    • Bottom of the receiver
    • Left side of the upper tang
    • Left side of the lower tang
    • Front face of the stock
    • Inside the buttplate
• Sights:
  • Lyman beaded blade front sight
  • Elevation-adjustable “Rocky Mountain” notch rear sight
• Special-order trigger configuration:
  • Fitted with a pair of double set triggers, a desirable feature that allows for a lighter, more precise trigger pull when set
• Stock and furniture:
  • Mounted with extremely attractively figured wood
  • Forearm features factory No. B checkering
  • Pistol grip stock also features factory No. B checkering
  • Fitted with a smooth shotgun-style buttplate
• Collector appeal:
  • Early 1886 production
  • Deluxe special-order features
  • Matching serial-numbered components
  • Attractive figured wood with factory checkering
  • Historically important first-generation Marlin repeater
  • Direct connection to the competitive development of powerful American lever-action rifles in the 1880s

A standout example of Marlin’s first repeating rifle, this deluxe Model 1881 combines mechanical importance, attractive special-order features, and strong historical context, qualities that make it especially appealing for an advanced lever-action or Old West firearms collection.

Condition

Very fine, retaining 90% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish on the receiver, 95% of the original blue finish on the barrel and magazine tube, 80% of the original case colors, and 90% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with some scattered light handling marks and the left side of the rifle showing scattered specks of oxidation and grey patina. The attractively figured wood is exceptionally fine with a few light dings and scratches, mostly on the left, and the checkering remaining mostly crisp. Mechanically excellent. This is a highly attractive, special order deluxe example of the desirable Marlin Model 1881!

Rifle Caliber: .40-65 Winchester
Manufacturer: Marlin
Model: 1881
Serial Number: 13802
Barrel Length: 28 inch octagon
Condition: The bore is mostly bright with some light streaking/spotting and crisp rifling.

Price: $26,799.99