1881 Marlin

[Mike D.]

As most of you already know, I am primarily a Winchester giuy, but I just examined an 1881 Marlin rifle that really appealed to me. It has a 23 3/4" barrel that does not appear to have been shortened at any time. The markings and edges of the octagon barrel are sharp, sharp, sharp. The finish is sort of mottled, a mix of blue and brownish, with the case colors silvered out. There is not a mark anywhere on the metal, but the wood has some dings and scrapes. The barrel is marked 40 Cal, and the bore is very shiny, has no pitting, and the rifling highly pronounced. The serial number is 845X. My knowledge of these guns is poor, but is this barrel length standard, or were most 1881 barrels much longer?

[Pete44ru]

I'm sure Vall can chime in, Mike - but AFAIK, 28" was the standard length.

I'm sure Marlin took "special orders", for barrel length, among other features - just like Winchester used to, so I don't personally know how to get provenance w/o a factory letter or record.

Mayhaps Vall or another expert would know other measurements, that wouldn't "add up", if that barrel had been shortened outside the factory.

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[1886]

If memory serves me correctly, the barrel length of the one I owned was 28". As was mentioned, Vall will know. 1886.

[cowboykell]

Pete is right, 28" was the most popular but 24" were fairly common. I sold an 1881 chambered 40 cal - 40-60 Marlin - 40-65 Win with a 28' barrel, excellent bore for $1900 last month on Gunbroker That should give you a starting price on value.

[Mike D.]

If the barrel was cut, which I really doubt, they did an excellent job. The front sight dovetail and mag dovetail are spot on for apparent distances from the muzzle. Like I said, the bore is excellent. The gun is available to me for $1500.

My original mission was to check out a full magazine 1886 Winchester .33 WCF rifle. It was too hard used for the inflated price of $2400. I suggested that $1000 less was more in line, but he laughed and told me that it was a "very rare, special order gun" and actually worth more than what he was wanting. Oh well, the seller knows best.

Another gun that I definitely WILL be purchasing is a beautiful Stevens 16 GA hammer double. It is in fantastic condition, with perfect case colors and not a screw ever turned on it. It has perfect, shiny, fluid steel barrels and beautiful bluing. A one owner gun, never shot much, it is super tight and is marked Stevens Arms Co, Chicopee Falls, Mass on the frame.

[GEOFF]

Mike D.

I'd go over to Marlin-collectors.com and ask under the "lever" section a guy named gunrunner or Reginier about this. He has the Marlin records from 1883 to 1906. He could look up your serial number for you and say when it was shipped and in what configuration.

Vall will be able to tell you the exact distance from the muzzle for the sight and mag tube dovetails.

I'd say this rifle was shipped in 1883 or 1884. I've got #5143 and it was shipped in June 1883.

John Marlin was using the same barrels on these 1881's that he was using in the Ballard rifles. The barrels have a VERY good reputation and if it is as nice as you say, that is pretty special to find in an 1881 this old.

Really check out the "ears" on the part of the action that brings the new cartridge up to feed. From what I've learned from Vall and others, if they are OK now they will probably continue OK. The parts kinda seemed to either break early on or not at all. Also Reginier helped me out big time by pointing out that the metal can fatigue around the firing pin hole so check that out too.

I really like my 2 1881's. All kidding aside about Marlin vs Winchester, the 1881 was king of the hill until Winchester came out with the 1886 and from that historical perspective I always find the 1881 interesting. If the forearm wood is not cracked that is another very good thing. They are famous for cracking, I guess they call it the Burgess crack?? The magazine loading gate is the cause of this but that loading gate really works quite well. They probably had to use this system cuz Winchester had the King system under patent???

Vall will be along soon with more additions I'm sure.

Geoff

[Pete44ru]

Mike - If you're not registered at Marlin Collectors, there's a "guest question" section where unregistered guests may post questions & pics.

http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/

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[marlinman93]

Mike,
There were almost 2,800 1881 Marlins built with 24" barrels. When you measure the length it should be measured with a cleaning rod down the barrel, and mark it at the crown. A 24" Marlin 1881 will measure about 24 3/16"-24 1/4" usually. A 23 3/4" measurement would make me very suspicious. The sight dovetail on almost every Marlin rifle (not carbines) will measure almost exactly 1" to center. The mag tube dovetails will be very close to 1/2" to center.
With that serial number range the gun will most likely letter, as most after #4000 will. If it's truly all correct that's not a bad price. Not a screaming deal, but fair if it's right.-Vall

[Marc]

Mike,

Was the dealer who had the 86 in Morro Bay? If so, I saw that rifle at the gun show here. Dealer said it had two or three special features. It was well used.

[Mike D.]

Vall, it prob'ly is a 24" barrel, cause it measures 23 1/4+ to the receiver. I really don't know the thread length, so was just guessing. It should have been measured to the chamber, but I didn't do that. The sight and front mag dovetails are the correct measurements, at least from what I understood them to be. The wood is nice, but sorta scratched up. I'm gonna pass on it for now.

[Mike D.]

Mike,

Was the dealer who had the 86 in Morro Bay? If so, I saw that rifle at the gun show here. Dealer said it had two or three special features. It was well used.

I really don't know about Morro Bay, Marc, but he lives up here, in El Dorado. I love '86s, but "beaters" don't belong in the 2 Grand category, I don't care how many "special features" the dealer thinks they have.

[Pete44ru]

That seller was most likely alluding to that rifle's best "special feature" - it's profit margin.

.

[marlinman93]

Wouldn't that depend on what the features were on the 1886 Mike? I would think that a 1886 with pistol grip stck and half octagon barrel would bring way over 2K, even in beater status if it was all there.-Vall

[Marc]

I remember now! The 86 the dealer from Morro Bay had is a 38-56. It was the same kind of deal though. It had two or three special features, but it was a rough looking piece for the $2800 he was asking!

[Mike D.]

2k is exactly what I paid for my 1/2 Oct .38-56 TD last year. What I looked at yesterday was a well used and no finish .33WCF, FM, SGB rifle. No way was that thing worth anywhere near the 2.4K asking.

[Leverdude]

Were the 1881's cased? I was under the impression they were blued.

[cowboykell]

Case hardened receivers could be special ordered. Most with engraving were color cased.

[Mike D.]

The fact that the receiver on this gun was "silvered" like an 1886 Winchester lead me to believe that it was originally case hardened. Not knowing much about these guns, it was an assumption on my part. It may have been just worn out bluing.