Marlin · Rifle

Marlin Model 1881

Name: Marlin Model 1881
Brand: Marlin

Lever action · .45-70 Government · introduced 1881

Also known as Marlin Repeater, Marlin Magazine Rifle, Model of 1881

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About the Marlin Model 1881

The Marlin Model 1881 was Marlin Firearms' first lever-action repeating rifle, a tubular-magazine repeater introduced in 1881. Chambered primarily in the big-bore .45-70 Government, it gave Marlin an early multi-caliber repeater that could handle full-power cartridges years before the Winchester Model 1886. It established the lever-action lineage Marlin would build on for the next century.

The Model 1881 was Marlin's very first repeater and lever-action, the foundation of the entire Marlin lever line; the US military evaluated it in 1882 but retained the single-shot Trapdoor Springfield.

Marlin Model 1881 specifications

General

Type: Rifle
Action: Lever action
Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired
Trigger: Single stage
Calibres: .45-70 Government, .38-55 Winchester, .40-60 Marlin
Magazine capacity: 8 rounds
Magazine: Tubular magazine

Dimensions

Barrel length: 711 mm (28.0 in)
Overall length: 1118 mm (44.0 in)
Weight (empty): 3.85 kg (8.50 lb)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Steel
Stock: Wood
Finish: blued

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 545 m/s (1788 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 2753 J (2031 ft·lb)
Effective range: 200 m

History

Introduced: 1881
Discontinued: 1903
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: US
Designer: Andrew Burgess

Available calibres

.45-70 Government.38-55 Winchester.40-60 Marlin

Features

Tubular magazine
Octagon barrel
Straight grip stock
Color case hardened furniture

Safety

Half cock notch

Production largely ended around 1892 after the Winchester 1886 dominated the big-bore repeater market; a handful of units shipped into the early 1900s.