Need a Marlin expert

[Glennster]

I have an old Marlin 336, built about 1965. Did these have checkered stocks? Did any of them have steel grip caps? I'm being told that this is not the original stock, I think it is......

 

[MrSmitty]

Sorry I don't know if it's original, but it is really pretty! Although 1965 it could be possible for them to have checkered it, my dad has a 1956 39A that has very nice checkering. Quality was standard back then.

 

[Glennster]

It could be your! Its for sale!

 

[BarryJaxon]

Don`t claim to be a expert but I, like Smitty have a 39-A that several people in the know says is a 1967,it has very nice checkering but no grip cap just plain wood?

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

It's not a 60, but it's a Marlin. Do you know what scope to put on it?

 

[gunman41mag]

I would just call MARLIN & ask them

 

[snapping turtle]

First what is the serial number of the gun start with. A 1965 should start with "AA".

Second if it is a 336d it would have a "W" serial number and I think a 336d on the barrel. They had the deluxe checkered stock.

third back in marlin hey day you could factory order special wood ect. If it is a 1965 then it could be sporting leftover 1963 d wood.

Fourth marlin 336's are fairly generic. Not like an Ar but still stocks are changed around. I do know that it is a pre 1979 stock as the groove is in the back something i believe changed in 1980. A guy with two 336's could take the best of each one and make one hunter and one hanger.

I have bropheys book. I will look it up if you get me the letters of the serial number. You could pull the stock and see if the serial number is stamped on it. I forget when they stopped doing that but i believe it was still standard practice in 1965.

 

[DaveO]

What is the length of the buttstock?

 

[Glennster]

Serial # is J439xx
The stock is 12 3/4''
The marking on the barrel is 336SC

 

[snapping turtle]

It is a little older than what you think it is. Year made is 1952. SC stands for sporting carbine and should have a 2/3 lenght mag tube. The forearms were very wide on the SC models in the 1950's. It is a waffle top and I hope it has not been drilled and taped for a scope mount as that would have not been a factory job and reduces any real collector value.

Here is a 1956 SC in 35 rem from my collection
No checkering in 1956. No plastic stock cap.

2/3 mag tube.

Fat wide and uncheckered forearm. Lots of people switched these out so it handled like a winchester 94. I have a feeling that is what happened in your case. They just switched out the forearm and butstock.

Mine wears a peep. A steel peep at that.

In a quicker answer to the question the stock is not original to the gun. It is a pre 1979 stock set. As far as true collector value goes you are not in the money with the stock not original. If untaped for scope mount that will help a bit.

I would call value unseen as equal to or a little above the price of a new 336A or W. It is a nice old gun just not a true collector piece. Hey next year it will be 60 years old. 90 % of the population is not going to know it has a replaced stock. Being an SC it adds value, My 1999 blue book lists it at 325 in 100% with a 10% add for first model 1948-1952. With the stock replaced forget the 10%.

I would keep it if it is not tapped. Nice shooters the american AK-47.

 

[Glennster]

Looks like the stock is original to the rifle.....
I did some asking around on other sites, one guy says the Checkering pattern is correct for what Marlin did.
Another guy says the Checking is OK, but he says it was not done by Marlin.
A few guys say the wood is not '' PROUD '' enough around the Tang. But, I have a buddy with a 1940's Marlin that does not have proud wood either. I'll try to get hold of him and post pictures.