Marlin Pump Action .22 patent 1908

[jlbpa]

The action opens when moving the slide back. But it won't close unless I loosen the takedown screw. This is with tubular magazine and chamber empty. I was wondering if it only closes if there were shells in the magazine feeding into the chamber so I put some shells in the magazine but the magazine would not release any shells into the chamber.

I just acquired this rifle and don't know it's history.

 

[fal308]

If it is an eposed hammer pump with a patent date of March 24, 1908 then it is either a model 29, 37 or 47. These were designed by L.L. Hepburn. low and high serial numbers for each are; Model 29 - low-160 high-16,558, Model 29N - low-214 high-3918, Model 37 low-490 high-12,455, Model 47 low-1247 high-5101.
The Brophy book on Marlin firearms has a whole section on the pump action rifles. This book is the reference work on anything Marlin IMO.