Marlin Firearms Co 1895LTD 1895-LTD 45-70 Gov’t 24″ Lever Action Rifle 1997
SOLD FOR: $1575
LSB#: 210930MS07
Make: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: 1895 LTD I
Serial Number: DFC00264
Year of Manufacture: 1997
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine. The magazine will hold 8 rounds of .45-70 cartridges.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “1895LTD”, “THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / ******CAL. 45/70 GOV’T******” and at the rear with a “JM” proof, the right side is marked with a 2-line warning. The left of the receiver is marked “DFC00264”. The buttplate is marked “Marlin”.
Barrel Length: 24″ Half Octagon, Half Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel, the rear sight is a semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The leaf is reversible with a U-notch on one end and a V-notch on the other. The top of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a scope mount and the left side of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight. (Neither are included)
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forearm, straight grip and comb, Marlin “bullseye” in the belly and a checkered black plastic buttplate. There are some little scuffs and nicks on the bottom of the forearm and belly. The stocks have a few other scattered light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows light wear around the edges. The stocks rate in about Fine-Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are infrequent sparse little nicks and faint scratches throughout the metal. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine-Excellent condition and would be easily Excellent with the wood in the same condition as the metal.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lever appears tight and the action is smooth. There is a lever safety and a half-cock safety position on the hammer. The cross-bolt safety has been removed and replaced by a factory screw We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in its original serial matching box with paperwork and an offset hammer spur.
Our Assessment: This is a Marlin Model 1895 LTD I lever action rifle made in 1997 and chambered in .45-70 Government. The rifle is in about Fine-Excellent condition with about 99% of its metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The .45-70 cartridge has enjoyed a revival in recent years due to the introduction of projectiles such as Hornady’s LeveRevolution which allow it to take advantage of the improved ballistics of a spitzer bullet even in a tubular magazine. This rifle is part of a limited production run from 1997, the beginning of a series of rifles which started with the LTD I and ended with the LTD V, with various barrel lengths, weights and stock styles on each model. The LTD I has a straight grip with an 24″ half octagonal barrel. The .45-70 with modern loadings can push a 325gr projectile past 2,000 fps, allowing it to be used for just about any game animal in North America and making it a particularly good round for predators. As great as this rifle would be for hunting, due to its limited production and high condition, it also will be attractive to Marlin and lever-action rifle collectors. Whatever your use for it, this is a great rifle in a great cartridge, the designs for each having remained popular for more than a century. Please see our photos and good luck!