Vintage/Antique Marlin Rifle

[Nancie]

I am a professional bookkeeper, QuickBooks Pro Advisor.

A new client has entrusted me with doing some research on a vintage/antique rifle that he owns. It's a 30-30 and I have a photo of it.

(I have already reviewed the MarlinFirearms website and spoke to a gentleman from customer service. He me to the independent service centers and I emailed each of them.)

Where would I go to get detailed information on this piece?

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Nancie;

Two places have copies the original factory records. One is at the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wy. They charge a fee for a "Factory Letter".
The other place is right here. We have a copy of the original factory records, and will look up any serial number for free, but will withhold the actual ship date for non-members of the Association. Association members get full information on requested serial numbers.
Be aware the original factory records for lever action rifles cover the numbers from 4,096 to 355.500. If the gun as a serial number outside of those numbers, there is no information available. There also a number of serial numbers that no information is listed.

[Nancie]

How do I become an association member?

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Nancie;

Send me an email that I can respond to. I will copy the Association membership application and return it to you.

[Nancie]

Is there a place where I can download it?

[Nancie]

How much is the membership?

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Nancie;

Membership to MFCA is $40.00 per year with a $10.00 initiation fee the first year. Or, you can pay 3 years for $105.00 and save $25.00.

What you really need to remember is the range of serial numbers that are available. If the serial number of your client's gun is out of the range of numbers that are available, then we can only estimate when a rifle was manufactured and a membership will not get you any closer to the information you seek.

[Nancie]

Ok, so $50. The museum is charged $77. The numbers are within range. Thank you for the information.

[Road King]

Also by joining the organization you can get unlimited requests for serial number information. You also get a great Marlin Firearms Collectors magazine 3 or 4 times a year. This magazine has some good articles plus offers for some great Marlin promotional items.

[Nancie]

Thank you for the information.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Nancie;

I saw the photos you posted at the other site. What you have a Grade Number 5-3 engraved Model 1893 with the addition of gold and platinum inlays. Normally, a 5-3 engraved gun did not have the gold and platinum inlays, and was added to any grade of engraving at additional cost. Marlin presented a Number 5-4 engraved Model 1893 to Annie Oakley that had the gold and platinum inlays, too.
Your rifle also has the unusual 5-3 style checking as shown in the old Marlin Catalogs. Very few 5-3 engraved guns that I have seen have that style checking as it is far more difficult to do than some of the other style checking offered and was applied to 5-3 engraved guns at additional cost.
The takedown feature of the gun are of additional interest. Often, there are other features that add value to the gun. Such as a half magazine and a half octagon barrel. The pistol grip stock was an additional cost feature.
The 139,000 serial number range should put the ship date approximately 1896. There is no guarantee of that without checking the old factory records. Sometimes, guns like this were made up for exhibition purposes, and returned to the factory and placed in the warehouse until sold.

[Nancie]

Wow, thank you for the information.

[marlinman93]

You'll get far better info here, and far more accurate also. Glad you posted the wonderful pictures so Regnier could look at them and give you accurate data for this wonderful 1893!

[Nancie]

Thank you.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Nancie;

I read most of the posts on the other site, and if you decide to go the auction route, be careful. Some of these auction houses are not so reputable, if you know what I mean. They will tell you one thing, and when push comes to shove, you get less than expected or should get in the end.