Marlin Confusion and Price Check

[jimc]

One of local pawn shops has Marlin (.30-30) that has me confused. It is a 24" rifle. The barrel is marked 36A-DL. Where it gets confusing is the stock is plain (no checkering), and it has a round bolt (like the 336). It also has what the dealer says is a factory tang sight. Any opinions on what it may? --a plainjane 336 with a barrel marked 36A-DL? --factory tang sight?

I'll admit I'm interested in the rifle (though I need it like I need another hole in my head). It is marked $619 which seems a little steep to me--particularly for a 336 with an after-market tang sight. Again, opinions on the price?

[J Miller]

Jim,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not really sure, but I don't think it's a 336. It sounds like a earlier model.
Marlinman93 will be around pretty soon I'll bet. He's the one who will know for sure.

Joe

[tdoor]

Hi Jimc-

Yes, I'm confused too. I checked Brophy's book (copyright 1989) and didn't find any reference to a model as you've described. There was a 39ADL which was D&T'd for a tang sight, 24" bbl and checkered wood- but of course that had a square bolt; I couldn't find a reference to a 336 with factory tang. Perhaps this is either a newer-post 1989- model (although the 36A marking is suspect) or a one of a kind. Is the rifling micro groove or Ballard?

As for price, I guess I'd concurr with your opinion, unless it is a truly rare factory variation.
tdoor

[jdad]

It was/is common to see a Model 36-ADL barrel on a 1st or 2nd (1948-1949) year Model 336. Marlin never wasted a thing. Marlin did not "factory install" any tang sights post WW2 that I knew of, but the upper tangs were d&t'd until about 1952. If the tang sight is an old vintage Lyman or Marbles then that adds some value Either way the price is too high. The serial number should be on the lower tang, under the lever, and it should start with either a "E" or "F".

I think Vall is either stuck in the Portland Int. Airport or has finally found a flight out to San Diego.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I think jdad has it nailed. Round bolt is 336 for sure.

[jimc]

Thanks. That was just about what I had decided (336 with a 36A-DL barrel) with an after-market tang sight (Lyman).

I'd like to have it because I like the configuration (long barrel, short magazine and tang sight), but I think they have it way overpriced (and they think they have a real collector's item),

[BenT]

The 36's or 1893 in rifle configuration aren't that hard to find if you look. My neighbor just picked up a 36 rifle for $250 with a some pitting on the barrel. We went Chrismas shopping at other gunshops to see if we could find something better and we found 3 more by stopping at 3 different shops. One was 93 was in the $400 range ,1893 takedown for around $1200 and a 336 . But the older 36 or 93 frames seems to balance better than the 336 frame. My neighbor went with the $250 one because the shop owner said if he did all the metal prep he would reblue it for free. So my Neighbor has a little project for over Chrismas.

[jdad]

This is worth $600, for comparison.

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displ ... um=8935202

[dr walker]

Wow jdad that is a pretty sweet short rifle, I may have to watch that one.

[marlinman93]

I'd be pretty suspicious of that gun, unless you really want it. It is possible that an earlier 36A-Dl barrel was used, but not too common. In the earlier 36 models, it was very common to see the "A-DL" barrel on any 36, regardless of whether it had checkered stocks or not, but I can't say I've ever seen a 336 with a 36A-DL barrel.
Vall

[jdad]

I've seen two first year 336's, with the "A-DL" barrel, but they were both on the auction sites.