^Lot 4188 EXPERIMENTAL MARLIN FIREARMS CO. LEVER ACTION

SHOTGUN FROM THE REMINGTON ARCHIVES. Cal 12 Ga. NSN. L.L. Hepburn submitted various patents through the late 1800's for a pump shotgun. With the success of the Winchester 1887, Marlin would likely have been developing a lever action shotgun. This is the only known example of Marlin's attempt at designing a lever action shotgun. Marlin's first commercial shotgun was the Model 1898 Pump Shotgun, in which this shotgun's action appears similar. Due to the lack of markings or S#, it is difficult to determine age of manufacture with only hint being the Marlin R&D sticker with S# R&D 1004 on left side of action. This shotgun comes with a Certificate of Authenticity dated Aug. 22, 2005 from the Gun Repair Center stating this shotgun was acquired from Remington & autherized to Market Selected Firearms from the Illion Archives, R&D Gun Library and Engineering lab; Remington acquired Marlin in 2007. The barrel measures 30" w/ steel front bead; half length mag. tube. Barrel shows 2 area outline of possible previous mag. tube clamps. 2 Walnut panels installed on both sides of barrel & mag. tube. Walnut pistol grip buttstock has Marlin hard rubber buttplate. CONDITION: bolt & bottom of receiver has vibrant polish blue with balance of receiver fading to gray/brown patina; left side receiver has freckling polish blue. Barrel & mag. tube have traces of blue with balance brown/gray patina showing vice marks, scattered spots of corrosion & scratches throughout. Mag. tube cap shows numerous strike marks. Wood has original finish, shrunk fit to action & blistering along comb. Buttplate intact with handling marks. Shiny bore with light fouling & scratches. (26-2614/MD). CURIO. $15,000-20,000.