The History of the Marlin 1881 Rifle

Manufacturing details of the Marlin Model 1881

by Scott Crawford - July 23, 2021

1st Lever Action introduced by Marlin Firearms with 20,535 recorded firearms manufactured between 1881 & 1903

Notes: A Burgess-patent design, the levergun has top ejection like the Winchester designs. Between 1881-92, a total of 21,716 Marlin rifles were produced. Most were made with octagon barrels in 28-inch lengths. Few round-barreled guns left the factory, and 13 were fashioned as smoothbore shot-guns. The standard finish on these fine arms was a blued receiver, barrel and under-barrel tubular magazine, and a color case-hardened hammer, lever, trigger and buttplate. As a rule, 1881 Marlins were made with single triggers, but double set triggers were offered, as were other extras, such as nickel plating, case-hardened receivers, pistol grip stocks and engraving.

This model was side loading and top ejecting with a 28" octagon barrel and held ten rounds of either .40-60 or .45-70 initially. There were 11 different Marlin Firearms U.S. Patents used in the Marlin 1881 rifles from four inventors.

Specifications

Model Number	Action Type	Caliber	Capacity	M.S.R.P. (1882)
1881	Lever Action	.40-60, .45-70	8 to 10 Rounds	$32.00

Additional Specifications

Barrel Length	24.0" - 30.0"	Scopeability	N/A
Barrel Type	Octagon Steel	Scope Mount Type	N/A
Rate of Twist	1:20	Stock Material	American Walnut
OAL	40-1/2"	Length of Pull	13-3/8"
Weight	7.25 to 11.0 lbs	Safety	Hammer
Receiver	Blued Steel or Case Hardened	Best Uses	Target/Large Game
Rear Sight	Rocky Mountain	Embellishments/Extras	Various engraving & stock upgrades, double-set triggers, Lyman sights
Front Sight	Blade

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