1948 Marlin 336A, 30-30 with “JM” barrel

[trooper joe]

Just found this really nice Marlin 336A 30-30 made in 1948 which I believe was the first year for the 336 models. Has a 24” “JM” stamped barrel, and a waffle top (no screw holes).







Sometime in it’s 71 year life span, a prior owner had installed the dreaded side mount scope mount. Ironically, the scope was only an old Weaver 2.5x rim fire scope which was very cloudy. Walked past this for several days before I woke up the other day and decided to save this great rifle from extinction. The dealer made me a good deal so the gun came home with me.

I decided against doing anything to repair the damage (like welding up the holes and rebluing, etc.) other that to remove that scope assembly and plug the holes with some nice plugs from Brownells as soon as I can figure out the thread size. After all, these side mounts were sort of “period correct” accessories so the old girl will wear the plugged holes as a sort of “badge of honor”.



Can’t really figure out what the deal was on a 2.5x rimfire scope.



Sat holding it last night wondering how many deer it has taken in the Michigan woods since 1948.

Trooper Joe

[Grizz]

Super Fine.

[TraderVic]

Nice rifle for sure. Too bad Grampa Bubba used the side mount, but....
I've been looking for one of these waffle tops in 35 Rem, but if I found one in 30-30, it might come home as well.
Great find, glad to see it will get the TLC it deserves.

[M. M. Wright]

Trooper, get a number 28 drill bit (dia. .140) If it will go into the holes they are #8-40. If not they are #6-48.

[AJMD429]

I'd probably just upgrade the scope and keep the mount on it.

After all, that IS the way many of those vintage guns were equipped, and used, quite successfully.

No reason to limit to what the manufacturer set them up for out-the-door; most of the best firearms are NOT 'stock items'.

[Walker]

Nice find. At my age, those levers that have already been set up for a side mount are a bonus.

[Pete44ru]

.

Nice work !

It's not a rimfire scope.

If you look closely at the scope markings, you will find it's an El Paso J-2.5 model Weaver scope that has longer eye relief than a rimfire scope, was used on many CF rifles before more modern Weaver "B", "C", "D" & "K" scopes came along - and can be worth about $70 in that condition.

FWIW, a few years ago, I sold a J2.5 with an 8x Litschert booster installed for $300 online - more than I paid for the used gun it came on.


.

[Pitchy]

Nice.

[6pt-sika]

Are you sure the scope isn’t a J 2.5 ? If it is it isn’t a rim fire scope . Never acquired a 336A when I had my Marlin accumulation but I had five or six of the 336SC which is the same thing except with a 20” barrel . Three I had were Ballard and three were Micro .

[trooper joe]

Repairs made on my 336A

Lucked out and found a whole pack of 8-40 screw hole plugs brand new. The one in front of the ejector stud hole had to be ground down a little since it was interfering with the installation of the ejector. (Don’t drink two beers before trying to grind that little puppy down. Can’t believe I didn’t lose it.)



At least no one drilled holes in the waffle top during the last 71 years. Also, it was nice that no sling mounts were screwed into the stock or “tack welded” onto the magazine tube.







Is this the correct butt plate for a 1948 336A?



Thanks for all the info and advice. By the way, the scope is an El Paso J-2.5 model Weaver scope just as described by Pete44ru.

Trooper Joe

[marlinman93]

That's a very nice gun, regardless of the 4 extra holes. I'd have no problem with the scope and mount if the scope was in good shape as it's a period scope and mount. But your fix is great also.\

A tip on grinding small screws. I have a plate I made up years ago for grinding screws. I tapped it for a bunch of small gun screw threads, and I just screw the screw into a hole and use my 1" wide belt sander to remove the material and make it shorter. Much easier to hold the plate than try to hold those short, tiny screws while I grind them.

[earlmck]

Nice! That 336A is my favorite levergun configuration and that old side mount probably let you get it at a better price than if it had been pristine.

I don't know about that butt plate. Both of my 1950 Marlins have a checkered butt plate with "Marlin" centered in the plate.

[wm]

Very nice pick up. I think I would also lean towards upgrading the scope and using as it is. Heck I might even invest a $100 and have the scope overhauled. Maybe.

Anyway …… very nice addition to your collection. I like to think about these post WW2 firearms of some GI finally home, finally enjoying a autumn deer hunt, putting his life together and finding a new purpose as a civilian. It takes a year to turn a boy into a soldier but only a week to turn a soldier back into a citizen?

Wm

[MacMarlin]

That is the correct butt plate for your rifle. The earliest 336,s had these with no Marlin logo. I have two 1948 336A's just like yours and they both have the same butt plate. You've got a nice rifle there!

[30-30]

nice find great rifle... :)