Sir Larry, I have similar lever action proclivities as you. Thutty-thutty Mahlon was my first. Pop's last 1894 before the safety and angle eject BS started is a treasure, as is the Ted Williams made by Winchester for Sears and Roebuck, that I found at Biff's Gun World before Biff lost his FFL due to sloppy paperwork. That is my only worn-silver "antique." All the rest are modern resurrections. 30-06, .348 WCF, 38-55 WCF, .405 WCF, 44-40 WCF, 45 LC, .45-75 WCF, and mostly .45-70 Gov't. Had .444 Marlin and .450 Marlin briefly, but decided .45-70 was better. Bought the .348 to convert to .500 B&M Alaskan but figured the .45-70 was good enough.
Maybe I should not be so displeased by those vertical split ring makers. They might be OK if you check every screw and lever or nut after every shot.
Ron aka "Rip" for Riflecrank Internationale Permanente NRA Life Benefactor and Beneficiary .458 Winchester Magnum, Magnanimous in Victory THE WALKING DEAD does so remind me of Democrap voters. Donkeypox.
