Early production Marlin 1881 in desirable .45 Government (.45-70) caliber. This rare example with serial number10466 was made in the 2nd full year of manufacture of 1883. The big Marlin Model 1881 was the first successful lever action rifle capable of handling the powerful .45-70 Government cartridge. It was also offered in .40-60 Marlin, .38-55 and .32-40 calibers. Model 1881s in these calibers are more common than the big .45-70 chambered rifles. Today a Marlin 1881 in .45-70 is a prize. It took Winchester a full five years after the introduction of the Marlin to produce their own rifle in this caliber. Marlin produced the Model 1881 for only 11 years and produced approximately 20,000 rifles combined in all calibers. This example shows fine lightly aged blue on the 24” octagon barrel. The receiver and magazine tube reveal a thinning aged blue to gray patina with blue in the more protected areas and on the spring loaded sliding loading gate. Further, the barrel shows excellent Marlin address and patent markings and is fitted with the original long buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and a Rocky Mountain blade front sight. The solid stock and forearm on this example are particularly fine with tight wood to metal fit and showing only normal light handling. The correct original shotgun butt plate is smooth steel and unaltered. The action is tight with strong springs and positive safety half-cock on the hammer. The bore on this 140 year old Marlin is surprisingly excellent with sharp rifling all the way through. Normally the bore condition on these big black powder rifles is poor to fair, this one is exceptional in that regard. One of the first truly powerfull repeating lever action rifles to grace the American Frontier, the Marlin 1881 was popular with hunters, lawmen and outlaws alike. This example was produced right at the end of the great buffalo harvest and could quite possibly have been used for this purpose. This rifle recently came out of Montana. Serial Number: 10466. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.