"The Marlin"

[legion]

My FIL gave me an old family rifle today.



Unlike other lever-action Marlins I've seen, the bolt is exposed on the right-hand side.



On the top, it says: "*Marlin Safety*".



On the left side of the barrel, it says: "The Marlin Firearm Co. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A. - Est. 1870". The second line says: "Model 36-R* - 30-30 Cal.-------A" I can't tell if the * is a marking or not.



I can't find a serial number on it anywhere.

[Sapporo Guy]

Beautiful gun!
Great FIL too!

what's up with the last 2 pictures? Can't see much

[legion]

Yeah, they looked fine on my camera. I turned off the flash to reduce glare. I'll try to take other pictures later.

[azasadny]

Beautiful rifle!

[Drdogface]

The fact that it's a "flat bolt" means that it's an original Model 93 which was made in a few calibers up until the early 1900's. Many were 30-30. Certainly a more valuable gun than modern Marlin 30-30 with the designation of Marlin 336. Keep it and shoot if you like. IF it says "Black Powder Barrell" on the bbl near the receiver then don't use modern ammo. Back then, steel was not properly hardened to accept modern ammo. Actually not until WW-I was it really hard and safe.

Other more qualified gun gurus will comment...

[legion]

I tried to retake the last two pictures:

[notfarnow]

I've never fired a gun in my life and couldn't tell a mauzer from a snauzer, but even I think that's a cool looking old gun.

If you were using a flash for those last two pictures, try using a lamp and no flash... less likely to get that reflection.

[Hawktel]

Ahh, a heirloom gun. Nothing quit like it!

When my father decides to quit hunting I get my grandfather's 300 Savage. And my brother and I are working on deciding who gets the beautifully made 50 caliber black powder rifle my father made in the 60's-70's-80's.

Congratulations! I hope she serves you well.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Drdogface

The fact that it's a "flat bolt" means that it's an original Model 93 which was made in a few calibers up until the early 1900's. Many were 30-30. Certainly a more valuable gun than modern Marlin 30-30 with the designation of Marlin 336. Keep it and shoot if you like. IF it says "Black Powder Barrell" on the bbl near the receiver then don't use modern ammo. Back then, steel was not properly hardened to accept modern ammo. Actually not until WW-I was it really hard and safe.

Other more qualified gun gurus will comment...

I really love this comment. I wonder what U don't understand about the line on the rifle that says, "Model 36R." Its a mdl 36 with BLUED FRAME...that means it was made in 1946-1947. Before that they had case colored frames. Also you have to realize that up to WW2 the 30/30 cartridge was refered to as the 30 WCF. Oh the Model 36 refers to model of 1936.

Daddy U gotta know your stuff. Last June I bought a Pre War Winchester Model 70 marked "300 Magnum." Now if U were a BOOO HOOO you might think, "OHHH that rifle isn't right, they didn't start making the 300 Win Mag until the late 50's, it must be a rebarrel." Ouuu would you have been wrong, the 300 Magnum refers to 300 H & H, as it was the only 30 caliber mag at the time, and were marked as such. That rifle in near new condition went for $1100.00 with a "ZeissKlein' scope on it. Lets us say $3500.00 as its true value.

[on2wheels52]

No serial # under the lever?
Jim

[legion]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

No serial # under the lever?
Jim

I'll look again when I get home tonight.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Wow, that's awesome. What a great gift!

[legion]

The next step is to determine whether or not it can be fired. It has some surface rust/minor pitting and the mechanicals appear to be in working order. I stuck a bore light down it but it is so dusty I can't determine if the condition of the barrel internally. If I have ANY doubts, I am taking it to a gunsmith to look over before firing.

[Jeff Higgins]

Listen to tabs; he is spot on.

Great old rifle, but nothing really collectable or anything. Which, of course, can only mean one thing - have fun shooting it.

The .30 WCF, aka ".30-30" was, from its inception, a smokeless round. I understand there may have been some black powder loads made available to apease those leery of smokeless, but I have never seen one.

The .32 Winchester Special was ballistcally equivelent as a smokeless load, but was sold primarily as a black powder round chambered in the same rifle. The slight increase to .32 over .30 caliber seems pretty insignificant, until you realize it was hot on the heels of a number of black powder .32's, like the .32-20, .32-40, and others. Lots of folks had suitable bullet molds for those, but not for a .30 caliber.

So, in essence, any rifle marked as a .30 WCF, .30-30, or .32 Winchester Special is suitable for smokeless. Load her up and have some fun.

[legion]

Considering this is a shooter and not a collector's piece, would it be okay to refinish it myself with Perma-blu?