Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice No. 32 Standard 1875 2nd Variation revolver in .32 Rimfire, one of the revolvers designed by J.M. Marlin at the beginnings of the Marlin Firearms Company, before it was officially incorporated in 1881. The expiration of the Rollin White patent on bored-through cylinders meant that the design could now be utilized by all manufactures, and the entire industry was quick to roll out their own rimfire and centerfire cartridge revolvers. Marlin first introduced the XXX Standard 1872 revolver in .30 rimfire, which was a reference to the .30 chambering. They then released the No. 32 Standard 1875, in the slightly larger .32 rimfire.

The No. 32 was originally designed with a cylinder for .32 rimfire "short", which is the "First Variation". This however was relatively quickly replaced with the "2nd Variation", which had a longer cylinder able to accept both "long" and "short" .32 Rimfire. Both variations were reminiscent of early Smith & Wesson designs, featuring a tip up barrel, spur trigger, and "Bird's Head" grip. Total production for both was about 20,000 from the period 1875 to 1887.

This revolver is an example of the 2nd Variation of the No.32 Standard 1875, and has the correct longer fluted cylinder. The revolver bears serial number 3406 on the grip frame under the grips, the rear of the barrel, and on the rear of the cylinder, which makes this a desirable "ALL MATCHING" example, with no parts swapped out. It has a great gently worn look that is simply impossible to duplicate.

The barrel rib still shows the model designation correctly:

No32 STANDARD 1875

The left side of the barrel is marked with the correct Marlin patent information, which is still clear:

J.M. MARLIN - NEW HAVEN CT. U.S.A. PAT. JULY 1 1873

The brass frame of this revolver still retains much of the original nickel plated finish, probably over 80%, showing wear through in the usual spots. The composition / "gutta percha" grip scales are in excellent condition, still showing strong checkering and just a bit of wear and some degradation at the very bottom. The barrel still shows some of the original blued finish, now faded to a plum patina, and the hammer shows some of the original finish as well.

The revolver cycles well, with accurate indexing, a strong cylinder lockup, and a crisp dry fire. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior we often see with revolvers of this age. The revolver breaks open correctly for cleaning and reloading. We checked the bore, and it is still in good condition, showing clear rifling with a mostly bright finish. The lands are definitely a bit worn, to it did see use during its service life.

A very nice example of an early production Marlin revolver, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: 1875 to 1887
Caliber: .32cal (long or short)
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 7 1/8 inches
Action: Single Action 
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

John Mahlon Marlin was born on May 6, 1836 near Windsor Locks, Connecticut. At the age of 18, he became an apprentice machinist with the American Machine Works. He later served as a machinist with Colt Patent Firearms of Hartford. In 1863, he started his own pistol manufacturing business in New Haven, concentrating on production of a small single-shot .22 caliber deringer.

Marlin expanded his efforts to include revolver in 1870, after the expiration of Rollin White's cylinder patents. The Marlin story later became intertwined with the Ballard breechloading rifle. These single-shot arms were invented by Charles H. Ballard of Worcester, Massachusetts, who received his original patent in 1861. Approximately 24,000 sporting and military rifles, carbines, and shotguns were manufactured between 1862 and 1873; Civil War sales account for half of this total. Five different New England companies produced various Ballard designs, with the New York firm of Merwin & Bray acting as sales agents throughout Ballard's brief history.

Economic depression came to the United States in 1873, and diminishing sales forced Ballard into bankruptcy. All patent rights, equipment, parts inventories, and properties were purchased by New York arms dealers Schoverling and Daly, who handled sales and distribution of Ballard rifles after reaching an agreement with John Marlin to continue production. This partnership would prove to be highly successful for all parties involved.

In 1881, the Marlin Firearms Company was incorporated, and production of Ballard rifles continuing under the Marlin banner until they were eventually discontinued circa 1891 due to the rising popularity of repeating rifles. Marlin-Ballard rifles were and are well-known for their accuracy and workmanship, and fancy-grade long-range rifles are eagerly sought after by modern collectors. Marlin continued to expand his product line, introducing his Model 1881 lever-action tubular magazine repeating rifle in that year. Many key features had been patented by Andrew Burgess and others, but John Marlin incorporated these into a single functional firearm. This rifle was available in a variety of calibers ranging from .32-40 to 45-70 Government, a feature that would not be duplicated by competing Winchesters for several more years.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.