I've Got This Old Gun...

[rasbo]

someone told me once some of the numbers on the parts were the individuals  that made the part, like a signiture in old times thats an awesome gun and older than 50 yrs I would think

[KillBilly]

Your .30-30 is a Marlin Model 36, dating from the late 1940s.  The Model 36 was the predecessor to the Model 336.
In 1949 the Model 36 was slightly redesigned, and reintroduced as the now familiar Model 336, which Marlin still makes today.

No solution to the serial number dilemma except for this
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php

Marlin Lever Action Rifle Serial Numbers 1883 to 1906
(Including Models 1881, 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1897.) Note that records are chaotic as all models were numbered in a single serial number range, and numbers are often duplicated, and the dates recorded are apparently shipping dates, not dates of manufacture. Brophy studied the records and came up with the following as dates of manufacture.

[rainshadow1]

Thanks Al. And everybody else too! (Good to hear from you again, Merry Christmas!)

You came up with the same thing I came up with, model 36, but later because of the new bolt, the only thing was the serial number, off the same page you linked, came up with Mfgd 1885 which would have been the model where the whole top edge of the side wall of the receiver slid with the bolt.

The serial number is what threw me, but something must be hinky with that.

There is a double hit 0 in the number, but it's obviously hand stamped so it's not that shocking.

Good news, I contacted the guy I traded, and he said he may be able to find the original magazine tube. It's been in his family a long time, and I think they changed out the tube to comply with the 5 shots rule in WA. If I get it I'll swap it out and it'll be all original!

[actionshooter]

Your .30-30 is a Marlin Model 36, dating from the late 1940s.  The Model 36 was the predecessor to the Model 336.
In 1949 the Model 36 was slightly redesigned, and reintroduced as the now familiar Model 336, which Marlin still makes today.

No solution to the serial number dilemma except for this
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php

Marlin Lever Action Rifle Serial Numbers 1883 to 1906
(Including Models 1881, 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1897.) Note that records are chaotic as all models were numbered in a single serial number range, and numbers are often duplicated, and the dates recorded are apparently shipping dates, not dates of manufacture. Brophy studied the records and came up with the following as dates of manufacture.

    Might be but I thought all 36s had a closed ejection port? I might be wrong but I thought that was one of the gun/ model changes to the gun when it transitioned from 36 to the 336. I'm going to have go dig my old marlin book out now.

[rainshadow1]

Near as I could figure from the interweb, it was still the 36 through at least that change, if not a few others, then changed model #s later. Curious what you find out.

[AWS]

The serial number sites I found only have dating prior to 1906 and post 1948.  I did find a Marlin that looks like yours in 32 Special that had a serial number of 87xx that was suppose to be a 1835 manufacture.  Which would put your rifle in the late 30's.

 
At 24hourcampfire there is a Marlin collectors thread, likely the best place to ask your question,  Here's a link.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/46/1/Marlin_336_Lever_Actions

[Bwana Bob]

I use to collect Marlins but not the newer ones. I could be wrong but I thought all the Marlin model 36's had solid bolt like the model 93's and not the cut out oval ejection port of the 336.

[actionshooter]

This is out of "Marlin Firearms, A History of the guns and the company that made them" Its a 700 page hardback. Awesome book, if you ever see one grab it. Anyway this is where I get most of my info.

[dawei]

Here is the greatest resource in the world for Marlin® Leverguns.....
• www.marlinowners.com