Marble's Game Getter
Introduced in November 1908 the Marble's Game Getter is an over under single action firearm chambered in .22 caliber (upper barrel) and .44 caliber (lower) and later the lower barrel was chambered for two inch .410 shotshells. There were two models in production: The model 1908 and the model 1921. Both models were designed by Webster L. Marble and Manufactured by the Marble Safety Axe Company, which later became Marble's Arms & Mfg. Co, in 1911. The first model 1908's were shipped from the factory in June of 1909. It was produced until 1914, but the Game Getters were shipped from factory stock until May 22, 1918. After that WWI interfered with any further production.
The Game Getter was produced with barrel lengths of 12, 15, and 18 inches, but Marbles offered any reasonable length upon special request. Barrels as short as 8 inches and as long as 22 inches are known. The Game Getter also features a collapsible butt-stock made of nickel-plated steel tubing. The Game Getter weighs a minute 35 ounces.
Model 1921
The model 1921 originally had the upper barrel chambered for the .22 short, long and long rifle and the lower barrel chambered for the two inch .410 shell. Starting in 1924; however, the lower barrel could be chambered for the 2½-inch shell. Apparently both chamberings were available for a period of time, but eventually the 2 ½ inch chambering became the dominant size. None are known to have been chambered for the three-inch shotshells.
Both the model '08 and model '21 were advertised as being chambered in other calibers: .25-20, 32-20, and .38-40. Such guns are extremely rare and valuable. The model 1908 was shipped in a dovetailed wooden box with the holster, folding stock, a cleaning rod and instructions. The box is a valuable collectors item by itself. In 2000, a boxed set sold at auction for $3162.50 USD. The 1921's were also shipped with folding stock, holster and instructions but in a cardboard box therefore the model 1921 is slightly less valuable. This is a large amount considering they were origanlly priced at $15.00.
Model 1908 Advertisement
The Marble's Game Getter unfortunately fell victim to firearms laws and regulations. It was legislated out of existence by the National Firearms Act of 1934, which, among other things, imposed hefty restrictions on shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches in length. If however, properly registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), the Marbles Game Getter is a valuable antique; yet, if it is unregistered, it is contraband.
Author's Note
The Marble's Game Getter is a neat oddity in the firearms world. If they were still in production today I would probably have bought one. Unfortunately due to gun control legislatures this unique rifle (or is it a handgun) is no more. In my opinion the game getter is an awesome small game gun (hence the name: Game Getter). With the .22 caliber bullet and the .44 caliber shotshell I would have bagged many a squirrel with one.
Thanks to "Cartridges of the World: Second Edition" and .410 Shotgun Resources as well as a little of my own knowledge for the information.
