Marlin 336 Texans

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6pt-sika
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Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

Kinda have gotten intrested in these !

How much do they sell for ?

Whats the difference in price for a 30-30 and 35 REM ?

Intrested in the first version of 336 Texans , ones made in the early and mid 60's.
Last edited by 6pt-sika on Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 336 Texans

Post by MistWolf »

Well, if you can figger out how much one Texan is worth and multiply that by 336, you should have your answer. Of course, Texans ain't worth as much in Oklahoma....
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by marlin shooter »

6pt
I have a 63, a 65 (SRC) and a 82 with a 18.5 bbl. I paid short money for all of them. Mine are in 30-30. I had a early .35 rem and again no premium in price. I think the marlin guy's know what they are but to regular folk's they are nothing special. 1 of mine came from a gun show, (SRC 135 buck's) 1 from a private sale,(1963 for 250.00) and 1 from a gun shop(18.5 bbl for 315.00) I havn't seen as many in .35 rem but there out there. I'm lucky to be in the lever rich area of the north east. Good luck in you search.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by TomF »

The original Texans were made from 53 to 83 in various barrel lengths but most consider any straight gripped 336, a Texan. The least common is the Marauder, 63-64. The SRC was produced along with standard guns. Other straight grips were produced in the later 80s. I can not remember when a straight grip (non CB) was offered inthe 336 section of the Marlin catalog. There are variations such as the 30TK, Glenfield 30GT, and 336 LTS. The special runs could be considered Texans. I have seen them here in Texas for $159., $250., and $280. I have never seen a 35 Texan "in person" as these are the least common caliber. I currently have 5. Good luck in your Quest!!

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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by TNBigBore »

6pt, I have found that 336 Texans from the 50s and early 60s go for about $300-350 in 30-30 and $400-$500 for 35s if they are in excellent condition. The 35s are considerably harder to find. Good luck in your search. They are neat rifles.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by O.S.O.K. »

I got this one:

Image

On gunbroker for $305. It's a 1951 (first year of production).

I didn't know it was the first year or that it was a "Texan". Just thought it was a nice old RC.

The auction stated that it was a 1952 but I looked up the serial number and it indicated 1951.

This is a pre-microgroove rifled, no scope mount drill/tap, "wavy top" rifle.

Really fell into it. :)
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by marlin shooter »

I have the hang tag with my 1963 rifle That I purchased from the origional owner and Marlin call's it a texan. I have never seen one marked texan.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by Pete44ru »

Model 336T (Texan) - (1954-1983).30-30, .35, or .44 Mag (65-67 only), 18 1/2" (1983 only) or 20" barrel, saddle ring (65-71 only)

Model 336DT (Deluxe Texan) - (62-62).30-30 or .35, select wood, Carved map of Texas on butt.

Model 336TS (Texan w/safety) - (84-87) .30-30, 18 1/2" barrel, squared loop, crossbolt safety.

Model 336 Marauder - (63-64) .30-30 or .35, 16 1/4" barrel (5856 made)
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

I do not know if Marlin marked them "Texan" or not .

I do however have a 1964 "Shooters Bible" laying here open beside me and on page 47 they show pics of the Model 336-T and under that they call it the "Texan Carbine".

And I quote from the specifications in the same Shooters Bible ;

Specifications : Stock- Western style with straight grip , slim forend . Other specifications same as 336C . Also available with hand carved longhorn steer on buttstock , in model 336-DT.......$96.95 (this was the cost of the DT)

Now then nowhere in the specs does it mention the brass saddle ring on the side .

My 336-44 which does have a brass saddle ring is listed below with the Model 336 Marauder . Although the 336-44 has 20" barrel and the others are 16.25" .

Here are what is written for the specs for the Marauder as well !

Specifications :6 shots , approx 6.26 lbs.,OAL 34.75"; American black walnut stocks ; open rear sights ; gold plated trigger;D&T for reciever sight and scope mounts . Specifications for the 44 Magnum same as Marauder , but 20" barrel; 38.5" OAL ; approx weight 7 lbs. ; 10 shot capacity .

FWIW , prices in 1964 were as follows ;

336 Texan 30-30 or 35 - $86.95
336-DT , Texan Deluxe 30-30 or 35 - $96.95
336 Texan with 2.5x Marlin scope attached - $121.95
336 Texan with 4x Marlin scope attached - $126.95

336 Marauder in 30-30 or 35 - $86.95
336-44 also $86.95
336 Marauder with 2.5x Marlin scope attached - $121.95
336 Marauder with 4x Marlin scope attached - $126.95

Anyway this is stuff I have dug up in the last 24 hours ! For some reason ever since I mounted that old Weaver on my 336-44 it has made me much more intrested in the other saddle ring rifles . And since they only made it in 2 calibers . Whats 2 MORE rifles :lol:
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by Pete44ru »

Back then, we used to swap things around a lot. :shock:

Some didn't care for the rings, and so removed them; while others added rings to guns that were never issued with one. :roll:

I had a couple of extra rings laying around since the -70's until last year - including a brassie - when I gave them to another levergunner to add to his 1886EL. 8)

IIRC, the 20" 336T was the "Texan Carbine", since it had the RC barrel, and the 18 1/2" 336T was the "Texan" - but after so many years/guns, I could be in error.
I think the 80's safety versions were the only ones actually marked "Texan".
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by O.S.O.K. »

They definately marketed them as "Texan" models - I saw a scan of an advertisement that showed this.

And the Marlin reference site gave me 1951 on mine with a comment "first production year".

Is this not correct? I mean 1951 being the first production year of the straight gripped 336?
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by Pete44ru »

According to all reported sources, 1954 is the first year of the straight-gripped 336.

Check your serial number prefix, here. You might also have a 1951 gun that's had itself changed from a PG to a SG by someone.
Like I posted earlier, it was once common to switch out or change the parts you wanted/didn't want on these rifles.

FYI - Marlin serial numbers are date prefixed, thus:
1948-E
1949-F
1950-G
1951-H
1952-J
1953-K
1954-L
1955-M
1956-N
1957-58-R
1958-59-S
1960 (August)-1961-U
1961 (August)-1962-V
1963-W
1964-Y,-Z
1965-AA
1966-AB
1967-AC
1968-AD, -68
1969-69
1970-70
1971-71
1972-72
Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:
Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75].
The only leverguns not so covered are some early 1972-era .45-70's & some .444's, IIRC.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by O.S.O.K. »

OK - from armscollector's site: "First Texan-2/7/1952-serrations on top." This does not jibe with your 1954 date. http://armscollectors.com/sn/marlinlookup.php

Prefix is "J" on mine - so 1952. My memory... the rifle was advertised as 1954 - and I found it was 1952 and I mangled that to 1951... Anyway - indicates first production year of the Texan - I remembered that right! :)

My rifle also has the 4 land and groove cut rifling. Serrations on top too. No drill/tap for scope base. Wood matches perfectly - fore and aft. No signs of work on the receiver or lever.

So, I'd say that Texans were first offered in 1952 - not 1954. Unless this is some other variation and not a "Texan"? Or is a very well done conversion.

But the information at armscollector and my rifle collaborating lead me to think 1952.

What sources are you using?
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

O.S.O.K. wrote:
So, I'd say that Texans were first offered in 1952 - not 1954. Unless this is some other variation and not a "Texan"? Or is a very well done conversion.

What sources are you using?
I looked in the Arms Collectors site you mention and never saw anything there to say the Texan was made in 1952 .

I do however have a printed copy of William Brophy's book on Marlin's and on page 259 of this book they state that 336T's started production in 1954 and ran to 1983 !

I tend to believe someone did a pretty nice change on your rifle . For one there is the forend on your rifle . It looks to be a good bit thicker or fatter then the one on my 336-44 and also looks thicker then the ones on the 336T's I have seen on Gunbroker and Auctionarms . Now I could be wrong but I don't think so .
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by Pete44ru »

[What sources are you using?]

Three: Brophy's book, Fjestad's Blue Book, and my own (somewhat spotty) memory. :wink:
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by salvo »

Here is one for sale at MarlinOwners.
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/inde ... 574.0.html

Not mine but I have bought from "GoingForTwo" before, he's a good guy.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

salvo wrote:
I have bought from "GoingForTwo" before, he's a good guy.
You are probably corect about him , but I tried to enter in a deal with him once before and lets just say I'll pass .

And I want models from 1965 to 1971 as well .
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by O.S.O.K. »

Oh for cryin out loud here's the link with the "j" querry results shown: http://armscollectors.com/sn/marlinlookup.php

And the text cut and paste:

"MARLINS MADE 1948 and LATER
Marlin Model 336 and Models 39-A and 39-M manufactured from 1948 to 1968:
A one or two letter code was used to designate the year of manufacture.

All Marlins (except lever action) manufactured from 1962-1968
A two letter code was used to designate month and year of manufacture.

All Marlins manufactured from 1969 to 1990:
The first two digits of the serial number designate the year of manufacture, either as the last two digits of the year (in 1969-71) or as a number code (1971 and later)..

Enter ONLY the LETTER CODE or the FIRST TWO digits of the serial number below.




The year of manufacture for J = 1952.

First Texan-2/7/1952-serrations on top."

Note result of querry.

And they cite William S. Brophy as their source!

Not trying to prove anything really - I didn't even know what it was when I bought it. And it sure doesn't look altered in any way - and if it was, it was really done by a pro because you can not tell.

Interestingly, the information that I read about Texans is that they had squareback levers too - mine is rounded as you can see. I wonder if this was a special order? I just can't see somebody spending the cash that it would take to modify this into the straight grip. Doesn't make any sense. And that referrence above makes me think that the 54 date may be wrong - that they may have introduced some earlier? That's wishful thinking of course. But this is just weird and not making sense as a re-do.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by O.S.O.K. »

More evidence... this is bugging me. I've been around guns long enough to know if something has been modified - unless as said, a true professional did the job.

Ya'll are citing the same information that I am seeing when I do searches - 1954 is listed as the first year the Texans were offered - and further, they had square backed levers and all must be micro groove then too right?

But I got that response shown above and my rifle is sitting in front of me.

I remembered seeing the buttstock serialed when I had it appart to clean-up.

So I went back out to the shop and took it off again - bingo - there it was -the stock was numbered to the receiver.

So this was not a replacement stock.

Here's the pic and you can see the serials - also note the "J" on the buttstock end - matching the serial on the lower tang.

Image

Also - look at the pic - the receiver shows no evidence at all of being straightened or otherwise modified. If it had been done, it would show - a smith would not waste time making the inside look "stock" - especially since these are not exactly high dollar guns...

So it does indeed look like this was a factory job or could have been special order I guess too if they did that at that time...

Any comments now?
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

This is page 250 from Brophys Book ,
Image

This is page 259 from Brophys Book ,

Image

This is page 259 also from the same book ,
Image

All of the pre 1970 Texans I have seen or seen pictures of had the same lever as my 336-44 of 1967 vintage .

Image


Also not the prifile of the forend on my 336-44 . Of all the Texnas I have seen in person or on the auctions , they have looked just like this 336-44 .
Image
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

O.S.O.K. wrote:So I went back out to the shop and took it off again - bingo - there it was -the stock was numbered to the receiver.

So this was not a replacement stock.

Here's the pic and you can see the serials - also note the "J" on the buttstock end - matching the serial on the lower tang.

Image

Also - look at the pic - the receiver shows no evidence at all of being straightened or otherwise modified. If it had been done, it would show - a smith would not waste time making the inside look "stock" - especially since these are not exactly high dollar guns...

So it does indeed look like this was a factory job or could have been special order I guess too if they did that at that time...

Any comments now?
I have to agree with what you show here :!:

I wonder if there was any possibility of someone sending the rifle back later and having the stock and lever changed ?
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by O.S.O.K. »

Thank you. That is what I was seeing too - except for that noted above.

Mine is an RC.

This just doesn't add up.

I don't think even Marlin would do the work in and be careful not to leave any evidence...

So, I'm thinking - either this was a special order or the actual first year production of the Texans was 1952 and Mr. Brophy is in error...?

Perhaps I need to write Marlin.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

O.S.O.K. wrote:Thank you. That is what I was seeing too - except for that noted above.

Mine is an RC.

How do you explain my rifle? Is there another source available? Perhaps I need to write Marlin.
I think you might have some luck with calling Marlin and seeing if they have any info on your particular rifle !

Also you might try the Cody Museum if Marlin is a bust !

The more I fool with these darn things the more things I find that there is no mention of :wink:
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

O.S.O.K. wrote:Mr. Brophy is in error...?
There have been a few things in that book in all honesty that have been proved wrong . However if 1952 were the actual start of the 336T one would assume more of them would have surfaced by now !
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by O.S.O.K. »

Well, maybe it just did! :)

I just wrote and printed a letter to Marlin and will send it off on Monday.

They do indicate on their web site under FAQ that they can help with this kind of thing.

So, we shall see.

copy of letter:

-------------------------
July 12, 2008

Marlin Firearms
PO Box 248
North Haven CT 06473-0905

RE: Information regarding an antique Marlin 336RC that I’ve recently acquired.
Hello,
I am trying to establish just what exactly I have.
The rifle is a Model 336RC, serial number J39842 and is chambered for 30-30.
Here are a couple of pictures:
<< pictures shown in this thread>>


Page 2 of 2


As you can see, this rifle is a straight-grip configuration model 336. The butt stock appears to be original to this rifle as it is serial stamped to match.
I’ve been able to ascertain that it was manufactured in 1952.
It has the 4 land/4 groove cut rifling that preceded the use of microgroove rifling. The receiver top is engraved with the wavy lines and there are no holes drilled and tapped for scope mounting.
The reference materials that I’ve been able to find reference the “Texan” models as starting in 1954 – two years later than this rifle. This was from Mr. William S. Brophy’s book on Marlins.
So the question is this: is this a “Texan” model or a special order piece that preceded the standard factory offering? What is the actual first year that the straight gripped 336 “Texans” were offered as an option?
Thank you for your help with this. I own several of your excellent rifles – both new and old and they are a joy to shoot and collect – not to mention to take hunting!
Regards,

<<me>>
----------------------------------
Last edited by O.S.O.K. on Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by 6pt-sika »

O.S.O.K. wrote:
They do indicate on their web site under FAQ that they can help with this kind of thing.

So, we shall see.
I seem to remmember someone recently doing this type thing and Marlin was helpfull .

However that was before R purchased them :roll:
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by O.S.O.K. »

Well took the Texan - (I'm calling it that until proven otherwise :) ) to the range. Good news - it's really shooting well - very small group - bad news, it still shot high, so I installed the higher front sight on it after I got back. That should do it, but maybe not... might need a lower rear sight.

I think what happened here is that the previous owner or the shop that sold this on gunbroker took the rear aperture sight off and installed an "on-hand" rear sight which isn't set for the rifle. It does look correct - but the notch is very high and unadjustable which looks more like a .22LR type sight to me...

Anyhoo, the most important thing is the grouping which was great - the crown work obviously worked. :)
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by TNBigBore »

I have owned just about every variation of straight stocked 336 rifle over the years and have never seen one actually marked 336 "T" or "Texan". I am not saying there are not some out there, but I have never seen one.
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Re: Marlin 336 Texans

Post by Hobie »

Neither of my "Texans" is so marked. One is a 1982 (.30) and the other is a 1964 (.35). They sure LOOK like Texans, shoot like Texans, etc... I suppose I should take photos but to me these are shooters.
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