Marlin Model 1881 45-70 Govt 22″ Octagon Lever Action Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,685.00
LSB#: LSB260602CL055
Make: Marlin
Model: 1881
Serial Number: 8075
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1885
Caliber: 45-70 Govt
Action Type: Lever action, centerfire rifle, fed from tubular magazine
Barrel Length: 22″, cut down from longer barrel.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf V notch with elevator dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth steel buttplate. The LOP is 13″ from trigger to buttplate. There are scratches, nicks, and compression dents throughout. There are minor cracks in the forend. There are no structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good condition as antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is minor erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original blued finish. The metal has worn to a brown patina with corrosion staining throughout. There are scratches and dings scattered throughout. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We do note that the right wing of the carrier is broken. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Marlin Model 1881 is an important early American lever-action rifle and one of Marlin’s first major centerfire repeating designs. This circa-1885 example is chambered in .45-70 Government and now features a 22″ octagon barrel that has been shortened from its original length, along with a tubular magazine, straight-grip walnut stocks, steel buttplate, and traditional open sights. Its large-bore chambering and early manufacture give it strong appeal as a representative of Marlin’s formative lever-action period.
Introduced in 1881, the Model 1881 helped establish Marlin as a serious competitor in the large-bore repeating-rifle market. Unlike Winchester’s earlier toggle-link designs, the Model 1881 was built to handle powerful cartridges such as the .45-70 Government, making it a practical sporting rifle for large game. This rifle retains virtually none of its original blued finish, with the metal worn to brown patina and showing corrosion staining, scratches, and scattered dings. The walnut stocks remain in Good antique condition with scratches, nicks, compression dents, and minor cracks in the forend but no structural cracks. The semi-bright bore has well-defined rifling with minor erosion and pitting and rates 8/10. The action functions, but the broken right wing of the carrier is a significant mechanical defect that should be addressed. Overall, this is a Good-condition antique Marlin Model 1881 with a strong bore, desirable .45-70 chambering, and notable early Marlin collector interest. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF