Here are some photos of the engraved 1894 that I have:
Engraved Marlin
Moderators: Regnier (gunrunner), JohnK, Sure-Shot
Engraved Marlin
Did Marlin Engravers ever signed the guns they engraved and if so where?
Here are some photos of the engraved 1894 that I have:
Here are some photos of the engraved 1894 that I have:
Engraved Marlin
I think it was color case hardened but it is hard to be sure, it didn't get real good care before I got it.
-
Regnier (gunrunner)
- Distinguished Expert
- Posts: 4751
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: The Sunflower State
Podufa;
Of all the factory engraved Marlin rifles, shotguns and pistols I have observed over the years, only two very high grade long guns, and one pistol were signed by the engraver.
The one rifle, and one shotgun were the exclusive Grade 40 guns with multiple gold inlaid animals. The pistol had "LN", which is Louis Nimschke, signed on the bottom of the frame.
The high grade long guns were stamped with "C.F. Ulrich" in a very non-conspicuous place, and the stamp was so small, you had to look at it with a magnifying glass to read it.
I have a very extra grade Number 5 engraved rifle and a Number 10 engraved rifle, but neither is signed. So, if these are not engraved, then the lower guns certainly were not.
You have to understand the thinking at the time. These artists considered themselves employees of the company, just doing the job they were hired to do. To sign a piece was usually reserved for their best work, and the common, everyday piece, cataloged item was just part of the job.
I hope this helps.
Of all the factory engraved Marlin rifles, shotguns and pistols I have observed over the years, only two very high grade long guns, and one pistol were signed by the engraver.
The one rifle, and one shotgun were the exclusive Grade 40 guns with multiple gold inlaid animals. The pistol had "LN", which is Louis Nimschke, signed on the bottom of the frame.
The high grade long guns were stamped with "C.F. Ulrich" in a very non-conspicuous place, and the stamp was so small, you had to look at it with a magnifying glass to read it.
I have a very extra grade Number 5 engraved rifle and a Number 10 engraved rifle, but neither is signed. So, if these are not engraved, then the lower guns certainly were not.
You have to understand the thinking at the time. These artists considered themselves employees of the company, just doing the job they were hired to do. To sign a piece was usually reserved for their best work, and the common, everyday piece, cataloged item was just part of the job.
I hope this helps.
-
marlinman93
- Distinguished Expert
- Posts: 2966
- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2002 1:22 pm
- Location: Portland, Oregon
I've seen two Ballards that had unusual engraving, and both had a sort of "N" designed into the engraving pattern. I always wondered if these were Nimschke engraved and hehid his initia that way.
I think I saw something in John Dutcher's book on Ballards about an "N" in the pattern of a engraved Ballard also, but no explanation as to why.
I think I saw something in John Dutcher's book on Ballards about an "N" in the pattern of a engraved Ballard also, but no explanation as to why.
Marlin lever actions 1870's-WWI, Ballards, and single shot rifles!
-
marlinman93
- Distinguished Expert
- Posts: 2966
- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2002 1:22 pm
- Location: Portland, Oregon
Engraved Marlins always had much lighter case colors than standard Marlins. Either they didn't heat them as high, or they did it differently to preserve the engraving. Whatever their reason was, they just always have lighter colors, even on pristine guns.
Marlin lever actions 1870's-WWI, Ballards, and single shot rifles!
-
marlinman93
- Distinguished Expert
- Posts: 2966
- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2002 1:22 pm
- Location: Portland, Oregon
-
Regnier (gunrunner)
- Distinguished Expert
- Posts: 4751
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: The Sunflower State
Don and JimD;
Don, the 5-3 and 5-4 guns will not be signed. The two guns that were signed were in different places, placed in the engraving so that you had to be looking for it to find it, and then, you needed the magnifying glass to read the stamp.
Jim...your 4 1/2 (A-1??) is probably Nimshcke engraved. Look for the "N" that Vall mentioned somewhere in the surrounding scroll work.
A great reference book for those interested in engraving is Dr. Frederick Harris's book,Firearms Engraving As Decorative Art.
You can find it at abebooks.com for a very reasonable price. I have found it extremely helpful.
Don, the 5-3 and 5-4 guns will not be signed. The two guns that were signed were in different places, placed in the engraving so that you had to be looking for it to find it, and then, you needed the magnifying glass to read the stamp.
Jim...your 4 1/2 (A-1??) is probably Nimshcke engraved. Look for the "N" that Vall mentioned somewhere in the surrounding scroll work.
A great reference book for those interested in engraving is Dr. Frederick Harris's book,Firearms Engraving As Decorative Art.
You can find it at abebooks.com for a very reasonable price. I have found it extremely helpful.
Am I seeing colors on the reciever back by the screws or is that shadow?
-
Don Anderson
- Distinguished Expert
- Posts: 586
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2002 7:20 am
- Location: Brookfield, WI
- Contact:
Are engraved Marlins signed?
Rick:
Do you recall, back in 1995, when we were at the Rock Island Auction, which was promted by Rich Ellis under the theme of the "Midas Marlins", there was a Model 19 Grade D shotgun, with a special order number 40 engraving and checkering pattern. It's serial number was 92622 and was made in 1906. If I recall, there is no record on this gun. The shotgun featured gold and platinum inlay. The left side engraving was the standard #15 pattern showin three wolves attacking a buck. The right showed a scene where a buck was drinking out of a stream and a cougar was in a tree above it looking down like it was getting ready to pounce on the buck. On this side, in the grass on the side of the hill, in very small print is stamped C F Ulrich. I have always wondered about the authenticity of this high grade Marlin shotgun and the signature, especially since it has a very plain straight grain walnut stock with a red rubber pad on it. Grade D's came with circasian walnut, not plain walnut. When you compare this to Ron B's Model 1898 Grade D special order #40 engraved receiver and wood, damascus two barrel set, which was shipped in 1902 andt as you know, is in the records and the records show the two barrels with this gun, there is no comparison as to the quality. Ron's gun features the same scenes on both sides, has gold inlay, and is so much more elaborately engraved with scroll work and has additional scenes of a rabbit and wolf hidden in the scroll work on the right side, plus the engravings of ducks on the trigger guard and the flat behind the receiver. The wood is an oil finish circasian walnut. This gun is not signed. It is not pictured in Brophy's book as it surfaced after the book had been printed.
Also, on page 169 in Brophy's book, is the Model 19 Grade D, with special order engraving and checkering, with gold inlays, that had been owned by Jim Opp. This outstanding gun also is not signed.
Is the 5-4 engraved Model 1893, that you mentioned, the one I sold you.
Don
Do you recall, back in 1995, when we were at the Rock Island Auction, which was promted by Rich Ellis under the theme of the "Midas Marlins", there was a Model 19 Grade D shotgun, with a special order number 40 engraving and checkering pattern. It's serial number was 92622 and was made in 1906. If I recall, there is no record on this gun. The shotgun featured gold and platinum inlay. The left side engraving was the standard #15 pattern showin three wolves attacking a buck. The right showed a scene where a buck was drinking out of a stream and a cougar was in a tree above it looking down like it was getting ready to pounce on the buck. On this side, in the grass on the side of the hill, in very small print is stamped C F Ulrich. I have always wondered about the authenticity of this high grade Marlin shotgun and the signature, especially since it has a very plain straight grain walnut stock with a red rubber pad on it. Grade D's came with circasian walnut, not plain walnut. When you compare this to Ron B's Model 1898 Grade D special order #40 engraved receiver and wood, damascus two barrel set, which was shipped in 1902 andt as you know, is in the records and the records show the two barrels with this gun, there is no comparison as to the quality. Ron's gun features the same scenes on both sides, has gold inlay, and is so much more elaborately engraved with scroll work and has additional scenes of a rabbit and wolf hidden in the scroll work on the right side, plus the engravings of ducks on the trigger guard and the flat behind the receiver. The wood is an oil finish circasian walnut. This gun is not signed. It is not pictured in Brophy's book as it surfaced after the book had been printed.
Also, on page 169 in Brophy's book, is the Model 19 Grade D, with special order engraving and checkering, with gold inlays, that had been owned by Jim Opp. This outstanding gun also is not signed.
Is the 5-4 engraved Model 1893, that you mentioned, the one I sold you.
Don
-
Regnier (gunrunner)
- Distinguished Expert
- Posts: 4751
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2002 2:33 am
- Location: The Sunflower State
JimD;
Your Ballard is Ulrich engraved, not Nimschke. Very apparent from the scrolls and vignettes.
Don..The Model 19 shotgun was indeed an Ulrich engraved, and signed gun. The stamp was real and is the same as the one on the Grade 40 Model 1893 I observed. The Model 19 does have deluxe wood on it. It really has the apperance of French walnut instead of Circassian, but it is highly figured.
The Number 5 engraved gun I referred to was the Special Order engraved Model 1891 with the bird's eye maple stocks pictured on page 180 of Brophy's book.
I have never had the chance to look at the other Model 19 (formly Jim Opp's) to see if it had a signature. I would like to, as it is a really spectacular gun.
Your Ballard is Ulrich engraved, not Nimschke. Very apparent from the scrolls and vignettes.
Don..The Model 19 shotgun was indeed an Ulrich engraved, and signed gun. The stamp was real and is the same as the one on the Grade 40 Model 1893 I observed. The Model 19 does have deluxe wood on it. It really has the apperance of French walnut instead of Circassian, but it is highly figured.
The Number 5 engraved gun I referred to was the Special Order engraved Model 1891 with the bird's eye maple stocks pictured on page 180 of Brophy's book.
I have never had the chance to look at the other Model 19 (formly Jim Opp's) to see if it had a signature. I would like to, as it is a really spectacular gun.