School me on this Marlin model 81

[ArmedCMT]

Hey guys and gals

So I just got this Marlin model 81 from a buddy of mine in a trade and i really dont know anything about it. It has no visible serial number and he says he thinks its C&R but doesnt know. My Google-fu led me to some info saying that some of them are C&R but the markings on the 81 in that thread were a little different than mine.
Mine reads:
The Marlin Firearms Co. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A - EST.1870
MODEL 81-DL-22 CAL-S-L-LR -----O-----

I know the DL is Deluxe version but i dont know what that really means and I know s-l-lr means itll shoot 22 short, long and longrifle but what I have no idea about is that "-----O-----".

Any info will be greatly appreciated but what I really want to know is...

1. How do i figure out if this is C&R/ what year it was made?
1a. If it is C&R, is our handshake good enough or do we need to make a bill of sale/receipt?
2. Are these popular/good guns?
3. What is a fair price for this thing?

Thanx

[covingtonhouse]

Try google model 81 year of production. Try rimfire central or marlin owners also if no one here has an answer....

[71kcfdcapt]

I have 1, as far as I can tell not worth much but damn good shooters. I reblued and refinished the stock on mine, it was really rough. I put more in to it than it is worth but I like it. Mine is also an 81 DL.

[ArmedCMT]

I have 1, as far as I can tell not worth much but damn good shooters. I reblued and refinished the stock on mine, it was really rough. I put more in to it than it is worth but I like it. Mine is also an 81 DL.

What letter is on yours? After the S-L-LR there is a long dash then a letter and then another long dash.

[ArmedCMT]

So i called Marlin today and i found out some basics. they made this gun between 1941 and 1964 and there is a way to tell if it was made between 1941 and 1945 but i think it needs to be compared to other 81's for that. The gentleman at marlin told me that the rifles made from 1941-1945 had a wider forestock than the rifles made after the war. It gave the forestock a "prominent ridge" next to the barrel. I looked at mine and it seems pretty wide but ill have to compare it to others to see.

[Izzy43]

As far as C&R is concerned you friend needs a copy of your Driver's License, Bill of Sale stating the serial number (if it has one), make and model of the firearm and I always include a statement on the bill of sale from the buyer or receiver in your case that you can legally own that firearm. Include the sellers name on the Bill of Sale. Good to have in case the firearm ever gets stolen and then used during the commission of a crime and Law Enforcement winds up with the gun and pursues where it came form. Cover your 6 o'clock. I have bought and sold a number of C&R firearms and always did this. If you have further questions you may want to ask them in the C&R forum here on CalGuns.

[ArmedCMT]

thanks Izzy

[71kcfdcapt]

What letter is on yours? After the S-L-LR there is a long dash then a letter and then another long dash.

I will have to check, been out of town. I will try to get a look at it Sat.