That takes some experience and when possible, get a 2nd opinion from knowledgeable collectors. Sometimes, dealers do not know they are handling a gun that is not right. Your gun (the model '97) is way out of the serial number range to get any factory information but your Model 1881 may be in the records.Īs far as reputable dealers go, there are several, but like all gun dealings, let the buyer beware. The Association cannot write 'factory letters'. has a copy of the factory records that allow members to contact the Secretary to only confirm the configuration of a particular gun. The Marlin Firearms Collectors Association Ltd. Sometimes, hard rubber butt plates are mentioned as well as steel rifle butt plates on guns that normally had hard rubber butt plates. Some options will usually be listed such as pistol grip stock, takedown and magazine length of other than full length. Usually, the model number, caliber, barrel length and shape and shipping date. Marlin records have little information too.

The problem with Marlin letters is that there are lots of 'holes' in the records, and they only cover a range of numbers from 4,096 to 355,500 that ends in December of 1906. The only place to get 'factory letters' is from the Cody Firearms Museum. the Model 1897/'97 was the first takedown version.

The Model 1897/'97 was the predecessor to the Model 39 and the Model 39 follows the design that really goes back to the Model 1891. The Model 39 did not come out until 1921. This gun would not be a prototype for the Model 39 as it is to early for that.

Marlin serial numbers