"JM" mark on Marlins....
- Thread starter jaughtman
- Start date
check out this site. http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/marlin-collectors/69414-jm-stamp.html
FrankenMauser
New member
It is a "proof mark" used by Marlin to show that the barrel was installed on the receiver by Marlin, and met quality standards.
On older rifles, it is an actual proof mark, and did indicate successful test firing. But, later on, it turned into nothing more than a "maker's mark" and QC stamp.
When Remington moved production to Ilion, NY, and Mayfield, KY (and I think I'm forgetting one location?), they went to Remington's stamp of "REP". ...which coincided with massive quality control problems.
So, the JM rifles are far more desirable than REP rifles - mainly because the odds of getting a basket case are MUCH higher with REP on the barrel.
There are some oddities out there, as well, that have both the JM and the REP stamps. These were take-off barrels that got put into stock after the North Haven plant shut down. When Remington started production, they installed some of the QC-failed JM barrels on production rifles, and then over-stamped the JM with REP, or stamped the barrel with REP in addition to JM. Those are the most trouble-prone rifles of all. Avoid them like the plague.
On older rifles, it is an actual proof mark, and did indicate successful test firing. But, later on, it turned into nothing more than a "maker's mark" and QC stamp.
When Remington moved production to Ilion, NY, and Mayfield, KY (and I think I'm forgetting one location?), they went to Remington's stamp of "REP". ...which coincided with massive quality control problems.
So, the JM rifles are far more desirable than REP rifles - mainly because the odds of getting a basket case are MUCH higher with REP on the barrel.
There are some oddities out there, as well, that have both the JM and the REP stamps. These were take-off barrels that got put into stock after the North Haven plant shut down. When Remington started production, they installed some of the QC-failed JM barrels on production rifles, and then over-stamped the JM with REP, or stamped the barrel with REP in addition to JM. Those are the most trouble-prone rifles of all. Avoid them like the plague.
Marlin's JM, Remington's REP (Remington English Proof), Winchester's WP, and Colt's VP (Verified Proof), Ruger's S, R, or SR, are all true proof marks. That means that the gun has been fired (once for each chamber for revolvers) with a cartridge having about 50% higher pressure than the standard (SAAMI) Maximum Average Pressure, i.e., about 75,000 psi for a rifle chambered for a cartridge with a MAP of 50,000 psi.
Proof testing ensures that no weakness in the material or manufacturing process will result in the barrel or chamber blowing out in use with standard ammunition. It is not an indication that the gun has met quality standards in general. There will usually be other markings indicating that various inspections have been passed.
Many modern makers do not proof test their guns, relying on overall quality control methods to ensure barrel quality. Others (e.g., S&W) do proof their guns, but do not apply a consistent mark to indicate that.
Jim
Proof testing ensures that no weakness in the material or manufacturing process will result in the barrel or chamber blowing out in use with standard ammunition. It is not an indication that the gun has met quality standards in general. There will usually be other markings indicating that various inspections have been passed.
Many modern makers do not proof test their guns, relying on overall quality control methods to ensure barrel quality. Others (e.g., S&W) do proof their guns, but do not apply a consistent mark to indicate that.
Jim
FrankenMauser
New member
That's a rather difficult distinction to make. Hickory is technically nothing. It's a census-designated place (CDP), rather than an incorporated township or city. As such, it's just a bunch of people living in the same area, in what resembles a town; but it's nothing more than an unincorporated area within the county, that happens to have a Post Office.
(I have family in Mayfield.
)Plus, even Remington refers to it as the "Mayfield Firearms Plant".
James K, I agree that that is true, in theory. But, after 2007, or so, there were quite a few rifles leaving the factory that were reported to show absolutely no evidence of being fired, or they were actually incapable of firing.
longranger
New member
I know that a JM stamped barrel on 1895CB 45-70 brought significantly more $ than any other 1895CB without the JM stamp. $400.00 gun became a $1000.00 gun.Glad I had bought to sell 4 years later at a nice profit to fund another project,no use for light weight 45-70.