Marlin 38 S&W

[oldwelder]

Were can I find out what a Marlin pistol ,top break DA/SA in 38 S&W is going for.
I found a very nice 5 shot top break at a gun shop and I'm thinking VERY hard on why I should not call them up and mark it sold.
I looked on Gun Broker ,I didn't see any.
This pistol is in VERY nice condition.
If it was redone ,they did it a while back and did a excellent job on it .
It looks almost new .
The bore needs a cleaning ,but the plating is very nice
Some one made wood grips for it that looks like they are factory made.
Anyone know the value of Marlin pistols,?
And can it be dated by the serial number?

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Oldwelder;

You are looking at a Marlin Double Action Revolver of 1887. It was made from 1887 to 1899 with about 15,000 of them made in .32 and .38 S&W calibers. Most were full nickle plated with a blued trigger guard and barrel latch. The hammer and trigger were case-colored.
Others can be found with a full blue finish except for hammer and trigger. Standard grips were hard rubber with MFACo either in a round signet or just under a "sunburst" like feature at the top of the grip. Mother of pearl or ivory grips were available at extra cost. None were made with wood grips.
Value would be very hard to establish without seeing it. If it has been refinished, then the value should be $200.00 or less. Without the original grips (impossible to find) the value if the plating is original would certainly be under $500.00.
Good luck......

[oldwelder]

gunrunner,
thanks for the reply..
I have been thinking of the pistol and trying to remember all of what I had in my hand.
The pistol is all nickel plated,trigger and hammer.
Also I did look at the rotating lever? and the whole breech were the firing pin protrudes from.
The lever is sharp and not all beet up like most old revolvers......
You can see all the machine marks in the metal.
The name and patten dates on the top of the barrel are very clear and sharp.
The cylinder locks up tight.
trigger on the DA is rough and heavy.
There is no chipping ao flaking in the plating..
I have to look at it again ,maybe take a photo of it.
The shop will take $340.00 for it..
maybe I can talk them down seeing that the grips are not correct.
Thanks
I will get back ,,,maybe with pistol in hand.
DO all FFL rules apply to pistols also ??pre 1899?? just a thought..

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Oldwelder;

If it were me, I would try to get the shop to sell it to me as an antique with no papers. Since it was discontinued in 1899, any serial number below 13,500 really should be considered an antique since only 15,000 of them were made in 12 years of manufacturing. That works out to around 1,250 per year, but the last couple of years, there was less production of them, so 13,500 would be a good number to use.
Good luck.......

[oldwelder]

the serial number is 50XX
I think that would make it way before the 1899 cut off year.
Again thanks for the info!!

[oldwelder]

I picked up the pistol last night on the way to Right to carry for Illnoise..
Now I have to get some photos

[oldwelder]

Oldwelder;

If it were me, I would try to get the shop to sell it to me as an antique with no papers. Since it was discontinued in 1899, any serial number below 13,500 really should be considered an antique since only 15,000 of them were made in 12 years of manufacturing. That works out to around 1,250 per year, but the last couple of years, there was less production of them, so 13,500 would be a good number to use.
Good luck.......

Regnier ..
Is there anyway I could find out the year that my pistol was made?
the serial number is 5070 ...
Thanks
Chris

[vytautus]

I just picked one of these up as well. What is the lowest known serial number for one of these? Mine is in the 600 range and is a .38 type 1 with the J M Marlin ejector cam. I can not find another one recently pictured any where. This version does not have the additional screw in the barrel hinge. There is no patent applied for on the side and the barrel has both patent dates August 2nd and 9th 1887. Any body have any ideas on this? Thanks

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Vytautus;

I have recorded at least a half a dozen serial number below 500. The lowest being number 27 that does not have the patent dates, just "Patent Applied For". I have one other serial number below 100 that does have the 2 patent dates, like yours. The Marlin style ejector was changed to the David Hall Rice ejector style somewhere between serial number 2500 and 2600.
I would like to add your serial number to my list if you do not mind doing so, you can send me a personal message or an email with it. Thank you......
I hope this helps.