Original Antique U.S. Marlin Model 1881 Lever Action Repeating “Big Game” Rifle in .40/60 – Serial 2381 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. World-renowned sharpshooters Annie Oakley, a star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, and Frank C. Miller, crack shot of the Irwin Bros. Cheyenne Frontier Days Wild West Show, often shot with Marlin rifles in their exhibitions.

“I gave as high as 15 exhibitions a day, shooting under all conditions, rain, wind, night, in parades in the streets,” Miller said in a 1915 interview. “And late last fall, I used some of the guns on a hunting trip to Canada and Wyoming. From all this, you can see what opinion I have of Marlin guns.“

The Model 1881 Lever Action Repeating Rifle is really one of the guns that really started it all for John Mahlon Marlin, who had incorporated Marlin Firearms the same year this model was introduced. Born in 1836 near Windsor Locks, Connecticut, Marlin became an apprentice machinist at American Machine Works at age 18, and later worked as a machinist at Colt. In 1863 he opened his own pistol manufacturing business, which later was licensed to produced single shot Ballard rifles. Marlin continued to grow his business doing contract work until he was ready to start his own business making his own designs in 1881.

This is a very nice example of a very early production Model 1881 repeating rifle, chambered in .40/60 Marlin caliber (marked .40 CAL. over the chamber), with a 28″ octagonal barrel. It has a lovely worn plum patina overall, with some areas showing a bit more wear down to the steel. It features a full length magazine tube and classic rear “Buckhorn” adjustable sight, which is missing the adjustment wedge, easily replaced. The front sight is the standard iron with a nickel blade, set into a dovetail on the front of the barrel. With the large chambering, this rifle was definitely intended for “big game” out on the frontier, which would almost certainly have been Buffalo at the time. There were many competing larger caliber cartridges at the time all vying for a part of the market. This example is even fitted with a “set trigger” for more accurate firing, though it was disconnected on the interior for some reason long ago.

The top of the barrel engraving is still clear, showing the many patents involved in the design:

<-> MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW-HAVEN.CT. U.S.A. <->
PAT’D FEB.7’65 JAN 7.73′ SEP.14’75. NOV19.&26’78. JUNE 3.’79. DEC.9.79. NOV.9’80. RE-ISSUE NOV.9.1880.

The bottom of the receiver shows serial number 2381, which is a very early Marlin serial number, made prior to 1883. At this point in their history Marlin was not good at record keeping, and numbers were issued out of sequence, and some were even duplicated. It wasn’t until later in 1883 that records became clear enough to give accurate dates, however this definitely is an early example, made during the first 2-3 years of production.

The action on the rifle cycles well, with the only issue being the previously mentioned disconnected set trigger. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some oxidation and fouling in the grooves, and the lands do show some wear, so the rifle definitely did see some use during its service life. The wood stocks are in good shape, and definitely show wear and past repairs from use. The fore stock has some woodline cracking on the right side, as well as some cracks near the front of the receiver. The butt stock has some repaired cracks on the left side near the receiver. Overall however the stocks still look great, with a lovely patina.

Overall a very nice condition gun in fully functional order. A fine example of a classic western “Big Game” hunting rifle, ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: Pre-1883
Caliber: .40/60 Marlin
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 Inches
Overall Length: 45 3/8 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: tube magazine

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.