Tried to get different lighting examples. Any thoughts ?
That is beautiful. Could not have planned the casehardening better.
Wait for Vall to reply. He is very knowledgeable on Marlin's.
Chuck
That's an interesting rifle for sure. You might also ask about it on
https://marlin-collectors.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4
Looks like what I'd expect of Marlin case colors for an engraved rifle. Marlin used a different process when case coloring engraved guns, so it wasn't as brilliant as non engraved guns colors, which would hide the engraving.
That 1897/'97 Marlin appears to be pretty high end engraving also, as the lower levels had stamped borders done like yours, but yours are engraved borders. Marlin's engraver during the period of this Marlin was Ulrich, and most likely he or his son (maybe both) would be the engraver on the late 1890's guns.
The deer and the scenery details on this gun are some of the best I've seen on early Marlin repeater.
