Marlin 56 steel receiver

[hmeier4799]

Regarding the Marlin 56 Levermatic, were receivers originally made of steel then later changed to aluminum and at what time did that take place? If so, would a steel receiver gun have a preminum value and how much?
Or, would the difference in value be insignificant?

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Hmeier4799;

The Marlin Model 56 Levermatic rifle was introduced in 1955 using a steel receiver with the rear end of the receiver squared off. In 1956, the receiver was changed to aluminum and the rear of the receiver was rounded off.
So, the steel receiver was made only one year out of the nine (9) years it was in production. So that would make it a rather rare variation of the Model 56 for a collector looking for a steel receiver gun for his collection. Now, how much that adds to the value, I cannot say, but if it were me, I would figure at least 10 to 15% additional over a later Model 56. The Model 56 DL Clipper King does bring a preminum whenever one of those turn up for sale as the production of that version is pretty rare, too.