Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice XXX Standard 1872 revolver in .30 Rimfire, one of the early revolvers manufactured by J.M. Marlin at the very beginning of the Marlin Firearms Company. 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. The XXX was a reference to the .30 caliber chambering.

Both of these models went through several revisions, originally having octagon barrels, which were quickly replaced with round barrels. The XXX Standard 1872 ended up having four variations, with the last featuring a round barrel and long fluted cylinder, which was able to take a slightly longer .30 rimfire cartridge than previously used. All of these revolvers were nickel-plated, and featured either hard rubber or rosewood grips.

This revolver is an example of the 4th Variation of the XXX Standard 1872, and has the correct longer fluted cylinder. The revolver bears serial number 2947 on the grip frame under the grips, the rear of the barrel, the rear of the cylinder, and on the inside of the left grip scale, which makes this a desirable "ALL MATCHING" example, with no parts swapped out. It has a great worn look and patina that are simply impossible to duplicate.

The barrel rib still shows the model designation correctly:

XXX STANDARD 1872

The left side of the barrel is marked with the correct Marlin patent information:

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

The revolver still retains about 75% of the original nickel plated finish, with most of the wear on the barrel and cylinder. There is a bit of light oxidation where the plating has worn, but it is just superficial. The original rosewood grip scales are in very nice shape, still retaining much of the "piano varnish" finish on the exterior, with no major chips or cracks.

The revolver cycles well, with good indexing and a firm cylinder lockup. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior we often see with revolvers of this age, and the action has a crisp dry fire. The revolver breaks open correctly for cleaning and reloading. We checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, showing clear lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish.

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

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: 1872 to 1887
Caliber: .30cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 7 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.

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