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Posted: 11/10/2014 8:01:45 PM EDT
A couple of weeks ago i ran into a guy that sold me this for $25. After a little research , it is a 1881 Marlin chambered in 38-55. Does anyone have any idea as to what its value might be? It has a small break in the fore stock, other than that it looks to be in fairly good condition. I ran the serial number and it was manufactured in 1889. Any ideas on the value would be great. Thanks in advance.
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| I don't know for sure but that is quite a find for 25 bucks. I saw a couple in better condition for around 16-1700. Try marlinowners.com I am sure someone will chime in in the antique or lever section. Either way I am pretty sure you made out with this one if everything works, fires, and is original. |
Great buy. If you want to get rid of it, I'll double your money!  That is a very historic rifle and well worth hanging onto. If you don't want to hang onto it, it was a great investment, as it will bring many times what you paid. You may have trouble finding an original forend. They are commonly broken in that spot. You can watch gunbroker and ebay, but even if you find one, it may take years. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the info. The gun seems to be all original and it shoots. We fired 4 rounds through it. I decided that 4 was enough for a 125 year old gun. If it fired 4, It'll likely be good for 400 --- keep the loads sane and in keeping with what would have been available in that era , and that rifle can likely still bring home the bacon as long as the bore is in good enough shape that it shoots well |
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I'd fix the stocks, clean the metal surfaces with steel wool and oil to get a nice uniform brown color, and shoot the hell out of that gun.
Yesterday while driving I started thinking that I need a lever action rifle with a rifle length barrel and a tang sight, maybe a .38-55. |
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