1897 Marlin

[AR22]

Just bought this yesterday..Pretty cool old lever gun with a a very nice bore..Nice tight smooth action.. I think by the serial number is late second year or 1899 production at the latest.. Has some case color left..Maybe 20 percent..

Sights are non original, why on such a nice original one someone would rob the sights is a mystery..

Butt end of the buttstock has some old repairs..But it will stay as it in the serial numbered original to the Rifle..

[Imageview]

Beautiful gun, hope it shoots as good as it looks!

[AR22]

Thanks

I did take it out and shoot a few soda cans..Runs very smooth, action is very tight..Nothing for accuracy test on soda cans, but it did not miss em..But the bore is excellent, so I am sure it is a shooter.. They will never make em like this again..

[golfish]

Nice score

It's a darn good looking gun for being 120+ years old.

[2761377]

very cool

if I could find one as an actual antique, duck on a June bug would be me.

[pennstater]

That's a very nice looking rifle. Not familiar with that model, what caliber? Thanks.

MLC

[AR22]

it is a .22 Their first .22 was the 1891 with a side loading gate early, then the tube...Very rare and I want one..Not going to happen though.. Then the 1892, then the 1897, then the 39, and the 39a we know today..They never really changed much in 130 years in those models....Sad this model is gone forever, and Marlin too..

Yeah this one by serial number probably runs into early 1899, so very close..Thanks

[alpha_romeo_XV]

That is clearly the predecessor of the model 39 quick take down. I have a 39a octagon made in 1974 and a couple years ago I was trying to figure out a way to convert it to a straight stock instead of its pistol grip style. I just like the look of a straight stock better for a vintage lever action rifle and a crescent butt would be a bonus.

[AR22]

Thanks

Yes I really like the straight grip stocks also.. I have some newer 39a's and I really do not care for the pistol grip look or the fat forearms.. The old classic look just cannot be improved upon.. But I guess they thought they would try..LOL Wish this had a crescent steel butt plate though..

[Imageview]

The 39m is much better in my eyes to the 39a, but the classics are in another league. I have an 1881 in not quite as nice condition as your 1897, but still love it.

[AR22]

Yeah I have a Mounty, but even that does not compare to the beautiful lines of the old ones.. And my Mounty just does not seem to be that great of a shooter..Fun and reliable, accuracy just does not seem to be there for me anyway.


Always wanted a 1881..Getting older now, and it probably is not on my priority list anymore, unless a good deal just presented itself out of the blue..

[joefrank64k]

Nice pickup!!

[TRAP55]

Nice find AR!
I had a nice one I found back in the 80's. The mag tube had been crushed early in it's life, and remained in a case before I got it. Still had the Marlin color case on the receiver. Found an original mag tube, and made a nice wood presentation case for it from plywood I finished/polished out with brass fittings.
Stolen in 1991 with a bunch of others. I still have a standing $1000 reward for any of those guns, no questions asked, and not one of them has ever turned up.

[AR22]

Sorry to here that Trapp...I had a Firearm stolen back when I was around 11 or 12..I think it was the first I ever owned..It was just a BP kit I put together..But would sure have been nice if it was not stolen..

I bought this Marbles M3 simplex sight for it..Should be here in a few days and should be good for my aging eyes also.. They are pretty good now after the eye repair..But not so good with sights yet. Thanks

[TRAP55]

Where did you find that old M3? Perfect match for that gun! What do you have for the front?