RARE MARLIN MODEL 1881 PRESENTATION RIFLE.

RARE MARLIN MODEL 1881 PRESENTATION RIFLE. Cal. 45-70. SN 5178. Standard grade rifle with 28” oct bbl, full magazine, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight & semi-buckhorn rear sight. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain, American walnut with straight stock & semi-crescent, smooth, steel buttplate. It has dbl set triggers & a rare 2-5/16” silver oval plaque on left side of buttstock, engraved in period script “Presented to / L.J. Moorhead / by Boulder Hose No. 1 / Dec. 1. 1883.” It is secured with four pins. Mr. Moorhead was the Fire Chief for Boulder for a number of years and was presented this rifle by one of his Fire Companies. Consignor states that Mr. Moorhead was the first Fire Chief of Boulder and the rifle was presented upon his retirement. Consignor further states that he talked with a descendent of Mr. Moorhead who stated that it took about one year to receive the rifle and that Mr. Moorhead was left handed, therefore the placque on the left side of the stock to accommodate his shooting style. Consignor further states that he had conversations with old Marlin employees who stated that the only time the factory was unable to keep up with demand was in the 1882-1883 period. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter identifying this rifle in caliber 45-70, 28” oct bbl with S.L. trigger shipped June 19, 1883. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains about 95% strong, orig blue with slight sharp edge & muzzle wear. Magazine tube retains strong blue in sheltered areas with balance a blue/brown patina. Receiver retains 80-85% glossy orig blue with light freckles of flaking and some fine pinpoints of light surface rust. Flaked areas are a medium patina. Forearm is sound with remnants of an old dark, added finish on forearm, being mostly a hand worn patina. Buttstock has a couple of repaired slivers at the toe, otherwise it is sound with some staining around the buttplate and retains most of an old, light colored restored finish with minor nicks & scratches. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-30641 JR272 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1114	$0.00	RARE MARLIN MODEL 1881 PRESENTATION RIFLE. Cal. 45-70. SN 5178. Standard grade rifle with 28” oct bbl, full magazine, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight & semi-buckhorn rear sight. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain, American walnut with straight stock & semi-crescent, smooth, steel buttplate. It has dbl set triggers & a rare 2-5/16” silver oval plaque on left side of buttstock, engraved in period script “Presented to / L.J. Moorhead / by Boulder Hose No. 1 / Dec. 1. 1883.” It is secured with four pins. Mr. Moorhead was the Fire Chief for Boulder for a number of years and was presented this rifle by one of his Fire Companies. Consignor states that Mr. Moorhead was the first Fire Chief of Boulder and the rifle was presented upon his retirement. Consignor further states that he talked with a descendent of Mr. Moorhead who stated that it took about one year to receive the rifle and that Mr. Moorhead was left handed, therefore the placque on the left side of the stock to accommodate his shooting style. Consignor further states that he had conversations with old Marlin employees who stated that the only time the factory was unable to keep up with demand was in the 1882-1883 period. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter identifying this rifle in caliber 45-70, 28” oct bbl with S.L. trigger shipped June 19, 1883. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains about 95% strong, orig blue with slight sharp edge & muzzle wear. Magazine tube retains strong blue in sheltered areas with balance a blue/brown patina. Receiver retains 80-85% glossy orig blue with light freckles of flaking and some fine pinpoints of light surface rust. Flaked areas are a medium patina. Forearm is sound with remnants of an old dark, added finish on forearm, being mostly a hand worn patina. Buttstock has a couple of repaired slivers at the toe, otherwise it is sound with some staining around the buttplate and retains most of an old, light colored restored finish with minor nicks & scratches. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-30641 JR272 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}