Marble’s Game Getter Gun Combination .22/.44 Top-Break Single Shot C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,596.56
LSB#: WY250408GF018
Make: Marble Arms & MFG.Co.
Model: Game Getter Gun (Model 1921)
Serial#: 15633
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1921-1962, C&R
Caliber: The upper barrel is .22 S/L/LR. The lower barrel is .44 G and .410 Bore 2”.
Action Type: Single-Shot Top-Break, Over/Under Combination Gun
Markings: The left side of the barrel assembly is marked “MARBLE’S / GAME GETTER GUN / MARBLE ARMS & MFG.CO. / GLADSTONE.MICH.U.S.A.”. The right side of the barrel assembly is marked “UPPER BARREL 22 S.L.LR & N.R.A. / LOWER BARREL .44 GG & A-10 2”. The top of the frame is marked “15633”.
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a brass bead blade integral to a band at the muzzle. The rear sight is a 3 leaf combination sight pinned to a screwed and dovetailed base atop the barrel assembly. The aperture leaf flips at the rear of the center U notch, and there is a nother U notch leaf that flips at the front.
Stock Configuration & Condition/Grip: The buttstock is an under folding wire stock with a metal buttplate. The grips are 2 piece walnut screwed to the grip frame. The LOP is approximately 14 1/8 inches from the trigger to the back of the butt-plate. There are nicks and scratches on grips with a couple micro chips taken out of the left grip. There is oxidation and minor corrosion on the buttstock. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Steel, Blued, Stainless
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. The rifling in the top bore is sharp. There is some fouling in both bores. There is a ring about an inch from the muzzle of the .22 bore where the barrel has bulged. In this writers opinion the .44 bore rates 8.5/10 and the .22 bore rates 6.5/10, but would rate a 9/10 if not for the ring.
Overall Condition: This combination gun retains about 70% of its finish. There is some minor finish loss and thinning throughout. The markings are clear. The screw heads are shapr. The pins are unmarred. There is light operation wear on the action.Overall, this combination gun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel locks with no play on the receiver. We did not fire this gun. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: This Game Getter is accompanied by its original leather holster. The leather remains pliable, though it shows moderate surface cracking and general handling wear. A small tear is present in the area where the rear sight would rest.
Our Assessment: The Marbles Game Getter is a unique and innovative firearm, a testament to early 20th-century ingenuity in gunmaking. Designed by Webster L. Marble in the early 1900s, the Game Getter was intended as a versatile survival weapon, catering to the needs of hunters, trappers, and outdoor adventurers of that era. Its distinctive design features a combination of two barrels, typically one rifled and one smoothbore, allowing for the use of different types of ammunition.
This over-under configuration, often chambered in .22 caliber for the rifled barrel and .44 caliber for the smoothbore, offered a significant advantage in the field. Users could switch between shooting small game with the .22 rimfire and larger game or even self-defense with the .44 shotshell. This versatility was further enhanced by its compact, foldable design, making the Game Getter an ideal companion for extended trips in the wilderness.
Despite its practicality and innovative design, the Marbles Game Getter faced legal challenges due to its short barrel length and was eventually classified under regulations restricting such firearms. However, models that were made with 16” + barrels remain legal and very collectable. Today, it is highly sought after by collectors and historical firearm enthusiasts, prized for its unique design and the glimpse it offers into the early 20th-century American outdoor lifestyle. The Marbles Game Getter remains a fascinating piece of firearms history, embodying the spirit of innovation and the multi-purpose utility that was highly valued in the era of its creation. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
