Marlin Firearms Collectors Association

Go to your local lumber yard and pick up 0000 steel wool it is softer than your barrel use a gun oil with the steel wool to clean the surface rust. if you have a fouled bore plug the barrel and fill with 50/50 white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. let stand for 15 minutes then unplug and pour out I r...

mix a solution 50/50 white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. put a cork in the end of bore . fill the bore with the mix let sit 15 minutes then pour out . pore boiling water down the bore. that stops the chemical reaction.but because it is really hot water . drys itself no rust.

check gunbrokers ,com and find one in simillar condition that has actually sold

check the top tang under the stock and top of the barrel where it meats the receiver.

please Email me a mailing address

I use 0000 steele wool and gun oil. soft enough not to damage the metal but strong enough to remove rust available at most lumber yards.

I think you are asking why the barrell and receiver have different ser no.s that is not unusual i the 1881's. when Reigner checks in he has the Marlin records and can tell you whatis in the records unless of course it is one of the blank records.

I also have an 1881 in 45govt. 30" barrel with set trigger. I paid $2100 for the rifle.

sou nds like you have a dent in your tube try a dowell the same diameter as the base of you shell case. when you push it up the tube make siure you are not opening the tube.

38W is 38-40.

RC =regular carbine, try several brands most rifles will shoot one better than the others. the model 36 was produced fron 36-41.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/nationa ... tguns.html start hear check yours against the ATF's list.

Marlin made a 38-56 cartridge Winchester made a 38-55 I know there was a ballard in 38-55. Sounds like it may be correct check with Marlin man 93 he has collected a lot of Ballards

0000 steel wool softer then the metal won't do any damage dip it in gun oil and it will take off the rust you can find it at most lumber yards.

send the photo's to me and I will post them