91. Marlin Model 1893 Special Order Deluxe Maple Stocked Rifle
serial #88947, 38-55, 26" octagon barrel with a near very good bore that shows some areas of pitting. This rifle features a gold washed action, lever, forend cap and buttplate with blued barrel and magazine. The left side of the action is beautifully period engraved "J. Hooker Wilson / Rushville / Ind.". It is our opinion that this is a factory inscription however Marlin records are not very detailed and this is not mentioned in those records. The barrel and magazine retain about 40% evenly thinning original blue finish which is blending with a smooth brown patina and have a very nice appearance. The action retains about 70% original gold wash with normal areas of wear on top tang, behind loading gate, belly of action and on lever. There is additional wear on the left side of action at inscription where it appears someone lightly cleaned the action to better see the inscription. The checkered pistol grip birdseye maple buttstock and forend rate excellent with 95% original finish remaining and with just light handling marks. Checkering remains quite strong and buttplate shows about 30% original gold wash with the balance being a dark brown patina. The serial number on the buttstock is 125422, while the perfectly fitting crescent buttplate matches the rifle. Serial number 125422 had an 1895 production date according to published serial number tables and this particular rifle number 88947 appears in the records twice shipping first as a 26 inch octagon 38-55 pistol grip rifle on August 6, 1895 and then again as the exact same configuration on September 24, 1895. We feel confident that this stock is absolutely original to this rifle and that possibly the double entry in the record books could explain the number discrepancy; perhaps the original owner wanted the stocks switched from walnut to maple or perhaps a damaged stock needed to be repaired and was returned to the factory and re-shipped later. Cursory research as to the identity of J. Hooker Wilson has been unsuccessful, more thorough research with the Rushville Indiana Historical Society could prove interesting. A handsome and rare deluxe Marlin 1893 rifle. (3124-7) {ANTIQUE} (8000/10,000) SOLD FOR $9775.00 |
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