introduced in 1881 as the top-ejecting Marlin Repeating Rifle (it was not catalogued as the Model 1881 until the appearance of Marlin’s second lever-action in 1888), was a muscular-looking firearm.

Marlin’s first rifle was the Model 1881. This rifle was a game changer as it was able to use big, powerful cartridges like the .45-70, along with other, now obsolete, bludgeon-category rifle ...

Appraisal: Marlin Model 1881 Rifle, ca. 1895, in Vintage Omaha. Watch Brad Witherell's appraisal of a Marlin Model 1881 Rifle, ca. 1895, in Vintage Omaha. Funding for ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is provided ...

Not only was Marlin first with a lever gun that could chamber the popular .45-70 Gov’t cartridge (the Model 1881), but the Model 1889 introduced Marlin’s side-ejecting, solid-topped receiver.