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November 19, 2006
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This is some of the most interesting AND intriguing I have seen. The good news is it is a .45-90. The bad news (for some) is it is on a Marlin.
It is also at the upcoming RIA auction. There is no reference to a factory letter. For the serial number range, there should be a factory ledger record of this rifle. Engraving is often not mentioned in the Marlin ledger and it is something most Marlin collectors have become accustomed to. Still, this rifle has many special features and while I wouldn’t expect the engraving to be mentioned, I would expect some of the special features to be noted.
This Marlin does appear to be more of a, “known” Marlin yet there is no mention of provenance.
Assuming original, any speculation as to who did the engraving? I’m not as versed in identifying engravers as many here are. Has anyone seen an engraved Winchester that they would speculate was done by this same engraver?
April 15, 2005
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Steve,
The engraving on that Marlin is well below the skill level of all the past Winchester engravers. The copious use of the punched marking background is not something that Winchester engravers ever did.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 23, 2009
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Pauline likely would know if it was done by a Winchester Factory engraver.
While Marlin’s style was different from Winchester’s they did have their own unique factory patterns. I believe this was one of their standard highly finished patterns.
Somewhere I think I have a copy of Marlin’s highly finished catalog, but hadn’t put my hands on it.
Sincerely,
Maverick
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https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
November 19, 2006
Online
Bert H. said
Steve,The engraving on that Marlin is well below the skill level of all the past Winchester engravers. The copious use of the punched marking background is not something that Winchester engravers ever did.
Bert
Thanks Bert. That is a very helpful comment for me – the fantasy of dipping into my 401K account is fading fast.
November 19, 2006
Online
By the way, I know Marlin referred to this style of engraving as, “pebble engraved.”
