Manufactured in 1894 and featuring nearly full coverage floral scrollwork on fine beaded background decorating the nickel plated receiver, along with a semi-relief portrait of a dog head in a circular panel on the left side. The rifle is pictured in “Marlin Firearms” on page 175 and the author and well-known Marlin expert William Brophy attributed the work to renowned 19th century Master Engraver L.D. Nimschke: “Uniquely engraved Model 1889 rifle that appears to have been done by the hand of L.D. Nimschke.” Evidence supporting L.D. Nimschke himself was the engraver of this masterpiece is taken from the engraver’s original pulls in the pattern book “L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver” published by R.L. Wilson. A strikingly similar dog head motif is among the Nimschke pulls appearing on pages 4 and 85 used on two differing firearm models. This dog head serves as the strongest piece of evidence that the engraving was performed by Nimschke. The detail is similarly captured in the panel scene found on this rifle, leaving no doubt that this masterpiece is a Nimschke original. Other highly decorative motifs taken from pulls in the pattern book serve to provide additional evidence that Nimschke engraved this rifle. The distinctive overlapping scrollwork closely resembles a pull found at the bottom of page 26. The center of the scrollwork is similar to a pull on page 86. The scroll pattern is certainly consistent with Nimschke’s signature work. The combination of scrollwork and dog head leaves us with no doubt that Nimschke performed the engraving on this rifle. Light scrollwork appears on the forend cap and buttplate tang. Model 1889s were a "working gun," and few customers were willing to pay extra for deluxe features, let alone a profuse engraving by one of the period’s finest engravers. These deluxe models are becoming difficult to find, especially those in high condition like this example. The rifle is fitted with a combination Beach front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, and a folding tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Marlin legend ahead of the rear sight and the caliber designation “32-W” at the breech. The top of the receiver is marked “MARLIN SAFETY.” The barrel and full length magazine tube are blued. The forend cap, receiver, lever, and buttplate are nickel plated. The hammer is casehardened. The varnished forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured deluxe walnut, featuring factory No. B checkering. This style of Marlin checkering was reserved for select walnut and used a multi-point checkering pattern. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate.

Excellent as a L.D. Nimschke masterpiece. The barrel and magazine tube retain 90% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The receiver retains 95% plus untouched original nickel plating and retains a crisp engraving. The forend cap, lever, and buttplate retain 95% of the nickel plating. Patterns of original case colors remain on the hammer. The wood is very fine with minor dings and scratches, most of the original varnish remaining, and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A wonderful, high condition example of a rare Nimschke masterpiece well-deserving of a prominent place in the finest collection.