excellent Marlin Model 1895 Limited V .45-70 Gov't Lever Action Rifle & Box, 1999Our Assessment: This a Marlin Model 1895 LTD V lever action rifle made in 1999 and chambered in .45-70 Government. The rifle is in about excellent condition with about 99% of its metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The .45-70 cartridge has enjoyed a revival in recent years due to the introduction of projectiles such as Hornady's LeveRevolution which allow it to take advantage of the improved ballistics of a spitzer bullet even in a tubular magazine. This rifle is part of a limited production run of 1,001 made for Davidson's from the year 1999, from a series of rifles which started with the LTD I and ended with the LTD V, with various barrel lengths, weights and stock styles on each model. The LTD V has a pistol grip with an 24" half octagonal barrel. The .45-70 with modern loadings can push a 325gr projectile past 2,000 fps, allowing it to be used for just about any game animal in North America and making it a particularly good round for predators, especially in a shorter, lighter rifle such as this which can be brought to bear quickly and allows for a rapid follow-up shot. As great as this rifle would be for hunting, due to its limited production and high condition, it also will be attractive to Marlin and lever-action rifle collectors. Whatever your use for it, this a great rifle in a great cartridge, the designs for each having remained popular for more than a century. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: 1895 LTD-V #591 of 1001
Serial Number: V0000591
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Caliber: .45-70 Gov't
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle w/ Full Length Magazine Tube
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked "THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / ****MOD. 1895LTD-V CAL. 45/70 GOVT.****" and "JM" at the rear. The left side of the receiver is marked "V0000591".The right shoulder of the barrel is marked with a two-line warning. The buttplate is marked "MARLIN".
Barrel Length: 24" Half Round, Half Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a buckhorn elevator sight with a reversible sight leaf that has a white diamond aim guide; the rear sight is dovetailed to the barrel. The top of the receiver has four drilled, tapped, and filled holes for mounting an optic (not included). The left side of the receiver has two drilled, tapped, and filled holes for a side-mounted sight (not included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped forearm, pistol grip, straight comb, Marlin "bullseye" in the belly, and a checkered black plastic buttplate. There is no noteworthy wear nor imperfections. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows some scuffing at the heel with sharp checkering. The stocks rate in about excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion and for the age, the bore rates a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no significant wear or damage. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in a serial matching box with a manual, hammer spur, and a cable safety lock.
CA LEGALITY: CA DEALER Transferable: YES, CA PPT: NO.
RIFLE