Make: Marlin Fire Arms Co.
Model: Model 1897 Bicycle Rifle
Serial Number: 266882
Year of Manufacture: 1903 / C&R. The included Cody Firearms Museum factory letter records this rifle as shipped February 13, 1903.
Caliber: .22 Rimfire
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle fed by a Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 16", 1/2 Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed near the muzzle. The rear sight is a two leaf folding express sight, dovetailed to the barrel. Also included is a Marlin receiver sight marked "MARLIN / PAT'D JUNE 30, 1903".
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a straight grip, straight comb, full-length capped forend, and crescent steel buttplate. The wood has been restored with a hand-rubbed oil finish. The stocks retain attractive grain and fit the metal well. There are scattered light handling marks and minor imperfections remaining beneath or through the restoration, but there are no notable chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks are in Fine Plus condition as restored.
Type of Finish: Blued, Color Case Hardened, Walnut
Finish Originality: Restored. The included Turnbull Mfg. Co. invoice and signed restoration note document extensive professional and hand finishing work.
Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat bright and the rifling is well-defined. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its restored finish. The receiver retains vivid restored color case hardening with strong mottled blue, purple, straw, and brown coloration. The barrel and magazine tube retain nearly all of their restored rust blue. The small parts, screws, and pins were reportedly fire blued during restoration, though the fire blue has somewhat dulled. The wood retains a smooth hand-rubbed oil finish with only minor handling marks. The rifle presents exceptionally well. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition has restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Museum factory letter, an additional Cody Firearms Records Office search, copies of reference material regarding the Model 1897 and Bicycle Rifle configuration, a Turnbull Mfg. Co. restoration invoice, a signed handwritten restoration statement, additional handwritten provenance/research notes, and a loose Marlin receiver sight marked "PAT'D JUNE 30, 1903."
The Turnbull invoice, dated May 7, 2012, specifically identifies Marlin Model 1897 serial number 266882 and documents repair of two dents in the metal, color case hardening of the action, and re-cutting of the barrel address. The accompanying signed note states that additional work was performed by hand, including fire bluing the small parts, screws, and pins, rust bluing the barrel and magazine tube, and applying a hand-rubbed oil finish to the wood. The writer states that approximately 80 hours were invested in this work.
Our Assessment: The Model 1897 was Marlin's compact .22 caliber lever-action rifle and one of the company's classic small-frame rimfires. Of particular interest is the special 16" "Bicycle Rifle" configuration, intended to produce an exceptionally compact sporting rifle at a time when bicycling was an important form of recreation and transportation. The included William S. Brophy reference material states that factory records account for only 216 Model 1897 rifles with 16" barrels: 97 with round barrels, 114 with octagon barrels, and just five with 1/2-octagon barrels. The factory letter for serial number 266882 specifically confirms this rifle as a .22 caliber Model 1897 with a 16" 1/2-octagon barrel, shipped February 13, 1903. That places this rifle within the rarest of the three documented 16" barrel configurations.
This is consequently much more than simply a short-barreled Model 1897. Its factory-documented 16" 1/2-octagon configuration corresponds to a group of only five rifles cited in the included Marlin reference material, and the Cody letter establishes the configuration and shipment date for this specific serial number. Combined with its documented Turnbull work, extensive subsequent hand restoration, supporting research, and included Marlin receiver sight, this is a highly unusual and visually impressive example of Marlin's turn-of-the-century Bicycle Rifle. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
