Marble Safety Axe Co. Model 1908A Game Getter, Serial No. 4, .22 LR / .44 Shotshell, 15-Inch Barrels, 1909 Production
This first-generation Marble Model 1908A Game Getter is one of the earliest produced, shipped on 3 March 1909 and bearing the exceptionally low serial number 4. Chambered for .22 Long Rifle over .44 shotshell and equipped with the distinctive folding wire stock and tang aperture sight, this compact combination gun represents a rare opportunity to own a cornerstone piece from Marble’s pioneering run.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair – Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Fouling: Mild Fouling – Light buildup of fouling or dirt.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling – Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The 15-inch carbon-steel barrels display surface rust and scattered marks that would benefit from careful cleaning and preservation.
What’s Included
- Marble Model 1908A Game Getter combination gun with factory folding wire stock
Produced between 1908 and 1918, the first-generation Game Getter blended a .22 LR rifle barrel over a .44 shotshell smoothbore in a break-action, two-shot design. This dual-caliber setup gave early outdoorsmen a lightweight tool for both small-game hunting and close-range pest control.
The 15-inch barrels keep the firearm compact while retaining the full 14-inch length of pull, aided by the patented folding skeleton stock that locks solidly in place yet stores flat against the frame when not in use. A fixed front bead pairs with Marble’s patented folding tang aperture rear sight, offering a surprisingly precise sight picture for a utility gun of its era.
All major components are blued steel, including the frame marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE MARBLE SAFETY AXE CO. GLADSTONE, MICH. U.S.A.” and the barrel inscription “CALIBERS – 22 & 44.” The tang bears the early “PAT OCT 20/03” legend, confirming its first-generation status.
With its documented 1909 ship date and serial number 4, this example sits at the very front of Marble’s production history. Collectors seeking a true early production piece, or anyone interested in the ingenuity of turn-of-the-century American firearms design, will recognize the significance of this Game Getter.