Help with a Model 1881? low serial number

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marlinowner1957
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Help with a Model 1881? low serial number

Post by marlinowner1957 »

I have what I believe is a Model 1881 Lever action with octagon barrel, marked as chambered for 45 Govt. The serial number is 1102. I know it was manufactured before 1883 but I'm curious on the exact manufacture and any other information that might be had.
Thank you in advance.
Regnier (gunrunner)
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Re: Help with a Model 1881? low serial number

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

Marlinowner1957;

With a serial number of 1102, your Marlin Model 1881 could have been made in 1881 or early 1882. The factory records begin at 4,000 with the first entry at 4,096. We know that there were Model 1881 Marlin rifles in Denver before March of 1881 as there is a factory flyer of that date with a letter from Carlos Gove of Denver regarding the Marlin Repeating Rifle as it was known in 1881. It did not receive the Model 1881 nomenclature until 1888 when Marlin introduced the Model 1888 rifle.
Your early Model 1881 will have the J. M. Marlin barrel marking in two lines instead of the Marlin Fire-Arms Company barrel marking used on the later guns.
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marlinowner1957
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Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2018 8:45 am

Re: Help with a Model 1881? low serial number

Post by marlinowner1957 »

Gunrunner,
Thanks for that information. I will try to get some pictures uploaded this weekend if it's not too complicated to do.
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