JM1565 VERY UNIQUE MARLIN MODEL 1888 SPECIAL ORDER FACTORY ENGRAVED “SANTA CLAUS” RIFLE; 24 inch octagon barrel chambered in 38 WCF caliber with a very good bore. Sights include a German silver Rocky Mountain blade front and a semi-buckhorn rear with a Lyman folding tang that has a large disc aperture. Barrel and half length magazine tube retain about 50% thinning blue. Special order factory engraved and inscribed case colored receiver shows light colors that are fading to silver. The left side is inscribed “Santa Claus” surrounded by scroll engraving. The right side shows a Buck (Possibly a Reindeer) within a vignette also surrounded by scroll engraving. Hammer and lever also show traces of case color. Beautiful burl walnut stock set is factory checkered with what looks like B style checkering. There are some light handling mars but overall a very beautiful piece of wood. Rifle style buttplate has traces of case color. Nice functioning action. The Model 1888 was only made for one year and this is one of only two known factory engraved examples! One can only try to imagine that this was ordered as a very special Christmas present. With all of the special order features and the unique inscription this Marlin was ordered by someone who knew exactly what they wanted. This is sure to be the center piece of any Marlin collection!
ANTIQUE $ 37,500.
