Post by: rainshadow1 on December 22, 2013, 07:10:50 PM
I just traded a Mossberg Ultimag for an old cowboy gun!
The only things I can find printed on it are the serial number underneath, forward of the lever, 10040, and the barrel has a "CAL. 30-30" stamped on it. That's it.
I've determined so far:
The marlin serial look up site says it's manufacture date was 1885.
The screw/pin pattern and shape of the lever fulcrum mount suggest model 36, but
It has a side eject bolt, not the sliding wall one, but the hole in the receiver one.
My dilemma is, I don't know if they made the hole in the receiver exposed bolt model 36 in 1885. I've found that one as the "transitional" model and thought it was later in the line.
Anybody know these old Marlin 30-30 Lever's?
Will post a pic soon...
Post by: actionshooter on December 22, 2013, 07:28:01 PM
Post a pick and give some specifics.
Post by: rainshadow1 on December 22, 2013, 07:59:37 PM
(https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1486930_759468640749911_1845419859_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1520769_759468674083241_568322669_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1486730_759468700749905_266033278_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1483412_759468494083259_1830315007_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/558679_759468524083256_657187114_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/936576_759468544083254_2056461720_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1476707_759468600749915_757087415_n.jpg)
Plan to take it apart and see if I can find any more markings.
Post by: jdb on December 22, 2013, 08:16:41 PM
Post by: actionshooter on December 22, 2013, 08:18:24 PM
Post by: jdb on December 22, 2013, 08:24:57 PM
Post by: jdb on December 22, 2013, 08:38:11 PM
Post by: jennyfell55 on December 22, 2013, 08:59:21 PM
Post by: actionshooter on December 22, 2013, 09:04:50 PM
That serial number is a an inigma
I agree, something wrong with the serial number.......
Post by: rainshadow1 on December 22, 2013, 09:14:07 PM
Why no other markings on the barrel than CAL.30-30? Some said smokeless steel, etc. And no letters, no model name...
Post by: actionshooter on December 22, 2013, 09:35:17 PM
That's why I was thinking the bolt might be the best indicator, but...
Why no other markings on the barrel than CAL.30-30? Some said smokeless steel, etc. And no letters, no model name...
That's unusual also, there wouldn't be anything about smokeless, gun is way to new for that, but it should have the regular verbage; Marlin, blah-blah.
Post by: actionshooter on December 22, 2013, 09:38:49 PM
If I remember correct, Marlin was the first to label using 30-30. 30 WCF was what Winchester used well after WWII. My 46" Winchester is 30 WCF. These older guns are tough to research. Serial numbers jump all over the place.
Winchester started the 30-30 in 1947 (or so) back in the day different ammo companies marked the ammo differently either 30wcf or 30-30 even though they are the same. Marlin used the 30-30 designation from day 1, I believe.
Post by: snowpack on December 22, 2013, 09:53:43 PM
Post by: actionshooter on December 22, 2013, 10:04:04 PM
Post by: jdb on December 23, 2013, 12:08:30 AM
Post by: rasbo on December 23, 2013, 04:02:18 AM
Post by: KillBilly on December 23, 2013, 05:23:54 AM
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 (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.
Post by: rainshadow1 on December 23, 2013, 09:08:29 AM
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!
Post by: actionshooter on December 23, 2013, 09:24:28 AM
Your .30-30 is a Marlin Model 36, dating from the late 1940s. The Model 36 was the predecessor to the Model 336.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. :)
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 (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.
Post by: rainshadow1 on December 23, 2013, 10:40:01 AM
Post by: AWS on December 23, 2013, 10:52:54 AM
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 (http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/46/1/Marlin_336_Lever_Actions)
Post by: Bwana Bob on December 23, 2013, 11:17:12 AM
Post by: actionshooter on December 23, 2013, 08:46:36 PM
Post by: dawei on December 23, 2013, 10:09:56 PM
• www.marlinowners.com (http://www.marlinowners.com)