Marlin never threw anything out as scrap until their move of the factory in 1969. So it was common to assemble and sell guns long after production halted on models as long as they had everything to do so.
I've known a number of Marlin collectors who specialized in the 1881, and never heard any mention having one of these late 1881's. I had 13 at one time, and didn't have one either. Sold most, and only kept 3 of them now.

 

I think I've stumbled onto one of the 16. I bought it several years ago and requested a letter from the Cody Museum. Serial number is in the range listed above and the letter states "Date on record October 10, 1894."
The rifle is chambered in .40-60 on the light receiver. The light receivers came about in 1885. This rifles serial number dates it to 1888 according to the charts.
The stock, however, is English walnut with the London oil (dull) finish. According to Brophy, the English walnut was available from 1891-1896.
I've tried to figure this in my head (dangerous, I know). If you wanted a new large bore Marlin rifle in the years 1892-1894, there was nothing available. The 1893 had .30 caliber offerings and the 1881 was out of production. The 1895 would come out the following year.
I think this was a special order gun made from remaining parts/inventory. The special features were all available in 1894 (but not available in 1888) which supports the factory records.
The records confirm caliber, barrel length and type, and pistol grip stock.
I've been sitting on this hoping to find some other information but haven't run across anything.
Any thoughts?

 

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I feel like your dangling a carrot out there......got a couple full sized photos of that fine firearm? Any backstory?

 

You've got the story. I bought it five years ago, ordered the letter and saw the date. 1 of 16? That's what I'm assuming unless someone can give me a better explanation. I've been hesitant to post what I think I have. I am by no means an expert on anything.

I wish Marlin had better records. As stated, I think this was a custom order gun- shotgun butt and plate, upper tang has an engraved outline but nothing in the center which makes me think the tang sight was ordered with the rifle. I love the 24" barrel. Engraving is factory and nice without going over the top.

Here's some more pics... I blurred the serial number. I took these in a hurry...some could be clearer. Sorry.

View attachment 946136

 

Wowsers....nice rifle. Thanks for the additional photos. Love to see the engraving on early Marlin and Ballard Rifles. And the hard rubber BP is always a neat to see option on an '81. ..by backstory....I was just curious how you came across it, frankly its none of my business. Guessing perhaps an auction find. Once in a life time rifle for a lot of us.

Heck I don't know sometime people have cool stories.....for example. Well I walked into a gun shop, saw a bunch of rifle barrels sticking out of a wooden barrel over in the corner. I saw one was octagon. Pulled that one out and it was a 1881. Asked the store keep what he knew about it and what he was looking to get. he said some old man brought in like three rifles. My cases and racks were full so I threw it in the barrel. He said how about 50 cents......I said hell i don't know....got to think on it.....better go home and ask the wife....lol....

Once again beautiful rifle.

 

Once in a life time rifle for a lot of us.

If it's one of the 16, it's definitely a find. I can't take any credit for it...blind hog ya know.

 

Mine is in .45-70, #13580, and has a story... Just after high school I dropped by the town pawn shop and the guy had it on his rack. He wanted $125 for it and I didn't have the money. Kept coming back for months and finally got him down to $65. My go to rifle throughout college in the desert (geology). The Internet says that $65 then is almost $600 now but there is no way that is equivalent because I didn't have that kind of money then. No idea about the serial number meaning.

 

Mine is in .45-70, #13580, no idea about the serial number meaning.

1886, unless it's one of the 16 that Brophy mentioned.

 

Your engraved 1881 is a perfect example of why we can't just look at a serial number on an old Marlin and say it falls into a certain year without running the serial number check! I've had numerous Marlins that showed being shipped several years after the date the seral number would suggest.
Your 1881 is gorgeous, and of course it is a special order in many ways. And that fact would be why it shipped so much later as many special order Marlins didn't ship the same year they were made, and often held back until the work was completed, or someone ordered one similar to what Marlin had built.

 

That is a Beautiful rifle!!

 

This post alone made logging in and browsing worthwhile this morning. Fabulous!

 

Wow! I'm late to this one! Sure is a fine 81, congratulations on finding that Gem!

 

That is truly one beautiful rifle! Thanks for sharing.

 

Since there doesn't seem to be any info or studies about the "16", I'm going to change the title. Thanks everyone for your gracious comments.