4301 EXCEPTIONAL SCOPED FACTORY ENGRAVED MARLIN 1893

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 7,500.00 USD
Estimated at 15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
RIFLE FEATURED IN “MARLIN FIREARMS” BY BROPHY. Cal. 32-40. S# 125350 indicating that this rare factory engraved case colored scoped rifle was manufactured in 1895 and pictured on both pages 194 & 195 of Brophy’s “Marlin Firearms”. Fitted with a 26” octagonal barrel with a full-length magazine, German silver rocky mountain front sight, semi buckhorn sporting rear sight, and a forward scope mount that holds the forward section of the unmarked 21 1/4" inch tube scope. The scope is attached to the case-colored receiver with a Lyman receiver side mount. The receiver was meticulously cut which Brophy describes as "unusual mixed No. 5, 10 & 15 engraving" that features vignettes of a grizzly in a woodland scene on the right side and a hound hunting down a stag on the left. The balance surrounding the scenes have a tight coverage of foliate vine scroll bordered with straight line and geometric designs. Engraved accents are found on the upper and lower receiver, breech end of the barrel, & forearm cap. The work is likely that of Conrad Ulrich. The stock set consists of an attractive fancy walnut serpentine pistol grip butt that is factory checkered in the C style with matching forearm. The wood terminates with a hard rubber buttplate and an engraved forend cap. CONDITION: Overall, very fine with the barrel and magazine retaining 95% blue showing light high edge wear and some scattered fine handling marks. The receiver has 40% of the original case coloring with the balance fading to silver. The wood retains its original wood finish and shows some scratches, mild wear, and minor handling marks. Nice bore with strong rifling. The duplex reticle scope optics are slightly cloudy and crosshairs are good. An interesting specimen that would draw the eye in any gun room. PROVENANCE: William Blount Collection of Extraordinary Marlins. (01-25290/ZAL). ANTIQUE. $15,000- 25,000.