This is a Marlin 1889 Sporting Rifle in Caliber 38-40.  The Model 1889 is the Father to the Model 1894 Marlin which is still produced today. Antique Pre-1898 Serial number is in the 43000 range. Standard 24" octagon barrel, full magazine, and crescent style rifle buttplate.  Overall condition is NRA Antique Good+ to VG with the metal turned to a smooth light brown patina small areas of original blue in the protected areas of the barrel and magazine tube. Metal is sharp with nice markings and good knurlings.  Top of receiver is marked in script "MARLIN SAFETY" while the barrel has the Marlin address with 1887 and 1889 patent dates. Original sights include the long Marlin-Ballard rear sight with original elevator and the Marlin Rocky Mtn front sight with large German silver blade which has had a tiny notch placed at the back of the blade. The wood is in Good+ condition with mostly light handling marks and a few dings.  The wood is solid and shows lots of open grain with good wood to metal fit.  Action works well but hammer cocks a little early...has probably been re-notched long ago.  The bore is good overall condition...no rings or bulges with decent rifling and some of the usual scattered light pits commonly associated with a 19th century black powder rifle.  This is a good example of a late 19th century antique gun or early repeater that was the direct forerunner to the famous Marlin 1894.

Item# 9052

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