Gun marked j.m. marlin new haven, conn. usa

[choppero]

A customer brought in a gun for repair that looks to be in good original condition. The barrel is marked J.M. Marlin New Haven, Conn USA. 40 cal. Serial number 1659. It needs a firing pin and some hammer work(hammer follows bolt but will cock with thumb). Does the 40 cal indicate 44-40? And what is the model and age?
Thanks

[choppero]

In addition, The pat information is all on one line. Flaydermans shows this to be an early 1881. Is this correct?

[choppero]

One more reply to myself. I correct the early vintage as the pat. information ends with reissue nov. 9, 1880 which is the third style. Barrel is octagon and 28" long.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Choppero;

You do indeed have a Marlin Model 1881. Ignore Flayderman's statements about the word reissue as that has been misinterpreted as all versions of the Model 1881 have that word in the patent line. The later style,(Marlin Fire-Arms Company marked barrels) the reissue is hyphenated to Re-Issue. The earlier J. M. Marlin marked guns had the one word reissue
With a low serial number like the one you refer to, this is an early Model 1881, made around 1882.
The .40 Cal. refers to the .40-60 Marlin caliber cartridge, which is nearly the same as the .40-65 Winchester cartridge. Marlin used a heavier bullet with a smaller powder charge in the same cartridge case.