buy a 50 year old Marlin 336?

B

bfskinnerpunk

New member
Well, as per the advice here, I'm looking around locally/online for a used Marlin 336.

So, I see one from 1949.... says it's in good shape with no modifications.

Looking at Wiki, production started in 1948.

Were the original 336's good to go?....or were there some foibles that were worked out in later years?
 
Eldest daughter has a 40 year old Marlin 30A- same gun with a plainer stock and a cheaper rear sight leaf than the 336. Good gun.
 
That's more like a 63 year old gun, but in gun years that's yesterday. I just bought a 1955 722, in new condition.
 
I have one owned by my grandfather, from him to my father to me, we have all killed deer with it. I am not sure of its exact age, but its pretty old.

Even though 1948 seems like a long time ago, this is a gun designed to survive generations.
 
Ok... I picked it up. Probably paid too much (or full retail, if you will). The first letter of the serial number is G, so that makes it a 1950 model.

$350

The worn blueing is actually creates a nice patina. The one suspicious thing that I have found is the recoil pad (or whatever the hard flat piece is that touches your shoulder). It seems too small for the size of the wood.... like it was put on when the original one broke or something. It looks like old plastic.

Is there a place that sells a more proper fitting part?
(now, I need to find a way to insert an image... checking on that now)
 
Ok... testing to see if these shots have "took"
 

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I believe G is for 1949.

Looks like a nice one. The butt plate is not original as you have said. Pachmyer and others make trim to fit recoil pads that work well if you want to change it. You can probably get pretty close with a standard pad too.

Below is a link to the Limbsaver recoil pad templates. You can print them out and see if one will fit.

http://www.limbsaver.com/2010/pdfs/templates/LS_templates.pdf
 
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I have several rifles made in the 40s...My 1942 Mauser looks like brand new and will out shoot any modern NIB bolt gun you can pick up at a LGS. That looks like a nice 336...I'd snap it up if the price is right. While my 336 is a whipper snapper at a mere 31 years old....it's in the top 3 favorite guns of mine. I wouldn't trade it for any other gun.
 
Good job! $350 is a going price for used Marlins in North Georgia. Mine was $300 two years ago. Older is definitely better. Mine is 1988 and build solid as can be.
 
I have a 1922 1903, a 1918 Model of 1917 and a 1942 1903A3.

Old guns can be good guns (not to mention the 1911 Luger)

Not sure if the Baby browning is the oldest (not functional) but all interesting and the ones you can shoot are great shooters
 
$350 is a pretty good price for a waffle top around here. Try numrich for an original butt plate. Hopefully the previous owner didn't drill and tap the receiver for a scope mount. My next Marlin will be a .30 WCF waffle top receiver rifle.

Stu
 
Waffle top? There are fine lines etched into the top of the receiver.... not exactly "waffle" pattern, but I am going to infer that this is what you are saying.

But no... this thing appears to be unmodified...no holes drilled on top.

Just that darn butt plate.

This thing is a beater, right?... I mean, I've never owned an older rifle before. To me, it is really cool to think of it being from '49 (or '50)... but in reality, I guess it is nothing special.

With that, I should probably not concern myself too much with being careful with it or trying to keep it restored to it's original form. (not that I have any big modification plans, but also, don't want to be fussy or overly careful with it either)
 
This thing is a beater, right?... I mean, I've never owned an older rifle before. To me, it is really cool to think of it being from '49 (or '50)... but in reality, I guess it is nothing special.
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My hunting rifle (Grandpa's Remmy 721) was made in 1958. I'd no sooner abuse it than I would my kids...... It is special, because of it's history ...... though it's only worth maybe $400 bucks, I wouldn't trade it for a 6920 and 20 30round mags, even at today's prices .....

Think about it: Your gun was made back when they made them one at a time, in a shop where they had time to make them right..... it was not a volume business. That won't happen again, outside of a a high end custom shop ....... and then it won't have the history your gun has: Any schmuck with a fat bankroll can buy a Cooper or Wilson Combat. The make them every day.....your gun? That's all there is. Ever.
 
ha!

Ok... I won't abuse it.

I wasn't really thinking of it that way, but I don't want to be fussy over it, either.

I just sold of my high end, unshot AR because A) don't care for the scrutiny on "assault!". but mainly B) that it had become so valuable that I now had to worry about it's condition and welfare like it was some kind of crazy treasure!
 
I wasn't really thinking of it that way, but I don't want to be fussy over it, either.
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Funny you mention that- when it was given to me, Grampa admonished me that it was a tool to be used, not something to be put in a case or hng on a wall to remember him by ..... by all means, I should attempt to wear it out!

I have put near as many rounds through it in the last 15 years as he did in the 40 or so he had it...... still can't shoot like him, though.
 
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