^Lot 119 Marlin M1881 3rd Type Ltwt. Lever Action Rifle

Marlin Model 1881 3rd Type Lightweight Lever Action Rifle, #16877, .38-55 CF cal., 24'' octagonal barrel is marked on top flat ''Marlin Fire-Arms Co., New-Haven, CT. U.S.A.'' over nine patent dates flanked by fletched arrows, fitted with dovetailed bead-blade front and buckhorn style open rear sights, and marked ''38-55'' at breech; full-length tubular 8-shot magazine below barrel; steel receiver is fitted with a screw-elevating peep tang sight, sliding dustcover, loop actuating lever, and trigger; steel crescent buttplate and nosecap; varnished two-piece walnut forend and buttstock. Mfg'd 1884-1892. Condition is very good, the barrel with a smooth blue-brown finish, the balance of the steel parts a smooth gunmetal gray with scattered nicks; front sight a possible replacement. Stocks with marks of age and use but showing nice coloration and perhaps a light later coat of varnish. Action is smooth; bore is bright with sharp rifling. The popular Model 1881 was the first lever-action Marlin rifle; just over 3,500 were made in .38 cal., even fewer as lightweight models. Est.: $1,200-$1,800. (Antique)