Takedown Pump Shotgun

[jcj54]

Gentlemen,
I have a takedown 12 gauge outside hammer pump shotgun, serial 148840, with patent dates of 1889 (1), 1896(2), 1900(1), and 1904(1) on the barrel. It is missing its straight grip buttstock and tang screw.
Can anyone advise me as to:
What model Marlin shotgun this is,
Where I can obtain a buttstock.
Thank you in advance for any help you may provide.
JCJ

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Jcj54;

A little more information please. Is this shotgun a pistol grip or a straight grip gun? Is it a hammer gun or hammerless? Is this all the patent dates, or is there more than one 1904 patent date?

There are only a couple of models of Marlin shotguns that do not have the model number stamped on them, somewhere. Hammer guns are usually marked on the upper tang, behind the hammer with a model number. Hammerless guns are usually marked on the bottom of the receiver, around the loading port.

The high serial number would tend to make be think this is a Model 24 hammer gun, but like I said, a little more information from you is needed.
Looking forward to your reply.........

[jcj54]

The gun has no visible model number, is outside hammer, is for a straight grip stock, and has only one 1904 patent date on the barrel. same serial is on bottom of receiver and on side of lower tang.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Jcj54;

That high a serial number could be either a "Trap Gun" or a "Field Gun" since is has a straight grip stock. The "Trap Gun" was usually marked on the upper tang, but I do not know about the "Field Gun". They were both considered the Model 24 with a straight grip stock. How long is your barrel and what is the choke (it will be marked {C, M or F} on the side of the barrel along with the serial number of the barrel near the slide)?
What method does the magazine tube release to be moved forward out of the receiver? Does it have a "pinch knob" on the end, or does it have a small push button, then turn the magazine tube with a knurled end outward to pull it out of the receiver? Do ou have to line up the action bar stop into a notch in the side of the slide to remove the action bar from the receiver so it can be taken down?
A straight grip stock will be difficult to find. At one time, I would have told you to watch eBay, but parts there are getting fewer and fewer. There had been some straight grip stocks (Model 17, 21 and 26 along with the above mentioned versions) there on eBay.
Again, looking forward to your reply.......

[Jim Susemihl]

You could get a pistol grip stock from Precision Gunworks and with some carefull rasp work and sanding convert it to a straight grip. Marlin was smart in that they left extra metal on the lower grip rail on their guns with pistol grip stocks rather than change the milling set up for the lower tang in the wood. This made it so that the same main springs could be used in both styles as well as tang bolt etc. Common parts lowers the production cost. They even had some parts that were common to rifles and shotguns. Anyway back to the Precision Gunworks wood. They do a pretty good job but leave a little more wood than I would prefer, but then I am lazy and don't like so much sanding. My results have been very good with their product. Then you will need a butt plate and screws and they are available from Vintage Gun Grips. They have a very nice Marlin shotgun butt plate. I have bought several for my shotguns and they look very good. It would not surprise me if they were making them from the original mold. Let us know how you make out.
Regards,
Jim

[jcj54]

After careful work, I uncovered the model number on the upper tang. It has a 26 inch barrel and is full choke. Upper tang was bent down, after careful
straightening it is now apparent the gun is a pistol grip model. Found a semifinished stock and am now working to fit it. Thanks for your help!!!