New to me Marlin 1881...just sharing

[bigbore45colt]

I had been chasing this 1881 for over a year when, this past summer, I thought I had finally nailed it down with some trading fodder that the owner wanted. I actually had gone out, found, and purchased 2 of the guns the seller wanted in trade when he tells me that he had struck a deal with someone else. I then happened to be talking to a buddy of mine and he told me he was the one that bought it...neither one of us knew the other one was chasing it.

He and I were able to reach a mutually agreeable trade agreement while at the big Tulsa show a few weeks ago. It was mine, FINALLY

According to the factory records, it letters as a Model 1881, 40-60 caliber, 28" octagonal barrel, factory set triggers, shipped May 9, 1885:












It will be some ultimate sweet shooting when I take it out to the range a run a few rounds through it!!

Just thought I'd share with my fellow Marlin/levergun aficionados.

BB45C

[J Miller]

BB45C,

That's a sweet rifle. I can't wait for the range report.

In the mean time, how about posting a pic or two of a 40-60 cartridge say along side a 30-30 or some other common round for comparison?
You know, just for us what don't know about 'em ...... like me.

Joe

[nemhed]

Very nice! Looking forward to the range report!

[pokey]

ah, the chase.

admirable and honorable pursuit.

here's hoping she lives up to all expectations.

[kimwcook]

Congratulations, BigBore. It's always a sweet victory when you get something you've been after a while.

[LeverBob]

Congrats BB, on the success of your quest...gadzooks! She's a honey of a rifle.

Joe's right, show a comparison pic & can't wait for a range report.

Well done pard...

LB

[KirkD]

What a fine old rifle. We can read about the old timers but that old Marlin was there!

[JReed]

Oh way cool . I look forward to the report. How is the trigger set and unset?

[bigbore45colt]

Thanks, guys, I appreciate it.

I'll take a picture of some rounds and post them tomorrow.

The trigger is set by pulling the rear trigger back. This gives the front trigger a VERY light trigger pull. You can use the front trigger as a normal trigger (ie without setting it with the rear trigger), it just has a harder, more normal, pull.

BB45C

[RIHMFIRE]

Whoa....I like that one...Congrats!
Good score! and in 40-60 too!....
Better start reloading....

[rjohns94]

Congrats. always nice to have a new child in the home, more so when you have had a long anticipated wait. Cigars all around, right??

[71fan]

That is a great looking rifle - congrats!

I am particularly pleased that you bought THAT rifle in THAT caliber, so you can do some of my work for me

I'm on my second one, having upgraded earlier this year to a higher condition one than my first, both in 40-60. Neither shoot the 40-65 wcf PMC ammo worth a darn, and each has an oversize bore which has been a pain in neck (0.412 and 0.4135). When you get around to shooting her and find a good load, I'm very interested to hear what you settle on. Take a look at this thread for a summary of my woes (which I've still not resolved):
http://www.levergunscommunity.org/viewt ... =1&t=20584

I would happy to send you a copy of the Chapman article mentioned in that thread, if you are interested. PM me if so.

They are fun rifles, easy to take down, and supposedly have very accurate barrels.

Enjoy it!!

[horsesoldier03]

Congratulations! A very nice rifle!

[.45colt]

What a beaut!! I can't wait for the range report on this one.

[bigbore45colt]

Thanks for all of the kind words, everyone!! I appreciate it.

J Miller - Here's the (poor quality) pic you requested:

30-30, 40-60, and, for &*ts and giggles, a 475 Turnbull



BB45C

[J Miller]

BB45C,

Thanks for the pic. Now I have an idea of what I'm looking at.

Joe

[gimdandy]

Very nice Big Bore .
Glad you were able to pick it up finally. Must of been meant to be. I;m definitely part of the cheering section also , knowing that it is going to be a lot of fun getting it sorted out and then shootin for fun