Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 54

Lot 54:Finest Known Factory Engraved Marlin Deluxe Model 1889 Rifle

December 8th, 2023|Bedford, TX
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 54

Lot 54:Finest Known Factory Engraved Marlin Deluxe Model 1889 Rifle

December 8th, 2023|Bedford, TX
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$60,000 - $90,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Finest Known Casehardened Factory Engraved Marlin Deluxe Model 1889 Lever Action Rifle with Desirable Freund Sight and Factory Letter

This outstanding rifle was manufactured in 1893 and is a superb example of late 19th century Marlin artistry made more desirable with a rear sight designed by well-known Western frontier gunsmith Frank W. Freund. The casehardened receiver is decorated with attractive factory floral scrollwork on a punch dot background, light scroll and line borders and a game scene depicting a stag in a circular panel on the left side. The motif is very similar to Marlin's No. 1 pattern as illustrated in Brophy's "Marlin Firearms" on page 531. At the time this rifle was manufactured, famed Master Engraver Conrad Ulrich, who spent a lifetime embellishing some of the finest high art firearms of the late 19th century to early 20th century, did most of the engraving for Marlin, and the embellishment on this rifle certainly follows a standard well-known Ulrich pattern encountered on Marlin arms. The barrel is fitted with a combination Beach front sight and a highly desirable Freund elevation adjustable "V" notch rear sight with insert. Like many in the American firearms industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Freund brothers Frank W. and George were German immigrants. They had various temporary shop locations as they followed the Union Pacific Railroad westward and established more permanent shops in Denver, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they regularly modified firearms, particularly Sharps rifles, to fit their customer's needs. They sold rifles to the likes of Philip Sheridan, George Cook, and Theodore Roosevelt. In addition to mechanical alterations and creating new configurations, the Freunds also designed and patented new sights. The rear sight on this rifle is marked "F.W. FREUND/PATENTED." The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line legend and "38-W." "MARLIN SAFETY" is marked on top of the receiver. The highly figured deluxe walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature multi-point checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a casehardened crescent buttplate. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 24 inch octagon barrel in .38 caliber and pistol grip stock. The factory letter also states the rifle was shipped on February 9, 1893. Although not confirmed by the factory letter, the engraving and deluxe checkered pistol grip stock are definitely factory. As noted Marlin expert William Brophy explained, "Unfortunately, the few remaining factory records do not, with any regularity, indicate if the gun was factory engraved or not." Factory engraved Model 1889s are rare, with high condition examples like this one being even rarer. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection; Property of a Gentleman

ConditionExcellent plus, with 95% original blue finish remaining on the barrel and magazine. 80% original blue finish remains on the forend cap. 98% vivid original case colors remain on the receiver. 85% original case colors remain on the buttplate and hammer. The engraving is crisp. 20% original blue finish remains on the loading gate. The wood is also excellent with some minor handling marks, crisp checkering overall and nearly all the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. A rare and desirable factory engraved Deluxe Marlin Model 1889 with the added bonus of having a Freund sight that will add value to any lever action or high art firearms collection.
Details
ManufacturerMarlin Firearms Co
Model1889
TypeRifle
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge38 WCF
Barrel24 inch octagon
Finishblue/casehardened
Stockhighly figured checkered

Item LocationBedford, TX
Views2716
Catalog page64
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3009Antique Marlin Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle
View Lot
Lot 3014Casehardened Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873
View Lot
Lot 1015Casehardened Winchester Model 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine in .45-90
View Lot
Lot 3027Casehardened Receiver Winchester Semi-Deluxe Model 1894 Rifle
View Lot
Show More