Spring 2024 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
June 7th, 8th, 9th, & 10th, 2024
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
EXTRAORDINARY UNIQUE “SANTA CLAUS” INSCRIBED FACTORY ENGRAVED SPECIAL-ORDER MARLIN 1888 RIFLE
01-25286
Cal. 38W (38-40)
S# 22340
Manufactured in 1888 it is obvious St. Nick must have been good that year and Mrs. Claus thought he deserved an extremely special present. She certainly had discerning taste and selected one of the two known factory engraved Marlin 1888 we know of that left the plant. Perhaps there is another out there for Mrs. Claus. The model 1888 was only produced for 1 year and high condition examples are extraordinarily difficult to find. This rifle is fitted with a 24” barrel, half magazine, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight, semi buckhorn rear sight, & a Lyman combination tang sight with a large disc aperture. This very rare special-order case colored engraved example is inscribed “Santa Claus” on the left side surrounded by a well-executed arabesque scroll. The reverse right face shows a detailed Buck (Reindeer?) within a vignette that is surrounded with matching scroll. The rich toned fancy burl walnut stock set is factory checkered with a wraparound point pattern similar to the B style, however there is a greater coverage than standard.
PROVENANCE: EX- Santa Claus Collection, William Blount Collection of Extraordinary Marlins.
STATUS: ANTIQUE
