Marlin 1881 Heavy Variation 2 28" 45-70, 1897

In-House Shipping: $35.00 + 1.5% Shipping Insurance Government Lever Action Rifle, 1891 Antique. Make: Marlin Model: 1881 Serial Number: 51047 Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1891; Heavy Receiver, Second Variation Caliber: .45 Gov’t (.45-70) Action Type: Lever Action Tubular Magazine Fed Rifle Barrel Length: 28", Octagonal Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The base has a hole for a set-screw that is not present. The rear sight is a "V"-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present). Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forearm, straight grip, straight comb, and a steel semi-crescent buttplate. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The wood shows discoloration at most edges where it meets metal. There is a crack at the left-rear of the top tang. The wood is generally slightly shy to the metal. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a light patina with some light wear. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition as refinished Antique. Type of Finish: Blue Finish Originality: Most remaining finish is Original, the receiver shows treatment with cold blue. The buttplate, tangs and the tang inlet of the stock are marked with matching serial numbers, the lower tang has a previous number struck-out but the serial marking is the correct typeface. The stock mounting screw is a modern replacement. Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6/10. Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Strongest finish is in the barrel. The magazine tube has mostly gone to a light patina. The receiver has mostly worn to white, showing treatment with cold blue that has mostly muted. There are some nicks, mostly around the front sight. There are infrequent spots of minor erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool-marked with strong slots, the stock mounting screw is a modern replacement. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in Very Good condition as Antique. Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None. Our Assessment: John Marlin began making firearms under his name in the 1860s, starting with small, single-shot derringers. He would expand his production to revolvers and would later produce Ballard rifles. It was not until 1881 that the Marlin Firearms Company was created, coinciding with the company's production of a repeating, lever-action rifle. As their first product, it didn't receive the model designation "1881" until 1888 when their next model was introduced. Somewhat the reverse of Winchester, Marlin began with a large-framed rifle chambered for the large .40-60 and .45-70 Government cartridges, later producing a smaller-framed rifle for pistol cartridges. This example of the Model 1881 is from quite late in the model's production, ca. 1891. It is chambered for the .45-70 cartridge with the 2nd Variation Heavy receiver. The rifle has wear consistent with its age, having had the stocks refinished, but retains some original metal finish, a fair bore, and strong mechanics. This would be a terrific addition to a Marlin collection, especially one lacking their earliest repeating rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!