1898 shotgun gunsmith recommendation

[Blue_Sage]

Hi,

I need a recommendation for a gunsmith to work on my Marlin 1898 slide action shotgun. Is there anyone out there that specializes in this gun? My attempt to use a local shotgun specialist did not return the results I was hoping for.

The receiver serial number on the gun is 6142, but the barrel serial number is 47631F. Would this imply that the barrel may not be original to the gun? I believe the gun is a very early model 1898, lacking the safety recoil mechanism. The receiver has engraving, so a model "C"?

Thanks, Blue_Sage

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Blue_Sage;

Cannot help with a gunsmith, but you should know that the receiver serial numbers and barrel serial numbers never match. Marlin did record both serial numbers in the records ( those that do exist ). One thing here, is that the numbers are much farther apart that what one would usually see, so your barrel may be a replacement. What are the patent dates on the barrel? Also, is this a "Special Smokeless Steel" barrel?
Your gun most likely is a "C" Grade engraved gun. Marlin did not make the "D" Grade shotgun ( the other engraved gun ) in 1898. The "C" Grade guns had flying ducks on the left side of the receiver.

[Blue_Sage]

Hi Gunrunner, Thanks for the reply. The patent numbers on the barrel are: Pat'd Nov 6, 1894, May 12, 1896 & June 2, 1896. I see no indication of "Special Smokeless Steel" and no indication of a gauge on the barrel. Yes, three flying ducks on the left side of receiver. I know the low receiver serial number is not captured in the records so I asked the Cody Museum if they could search their database on the barrel serial number. They can only perform that search with manpower. That possibly would have told me if the barrel was issued to another gun, and therefore a replacement on my gun. The cost of such a search was prohibitive.

I agree the barrel/receiver serial numbers are a long way apart, making me suspicious of a replacement. I believe I read in the Marlin Firearms book that production in 1898 was only for the standard gun. Shortly thereafter, production included the recoil safety and the "B", "C" and "D" versions. Do you know of any other guns with engraving that did not have the recoil safety feature?

Thanks,
Blue_Sage

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Blue_Sage;

The "C" Grade guns came standard with the "Special Smokeless Steel" grade barrels. This would definitely indicate that your barrel is a replacement barrel. The patent dates are correct for a Model 1898, but from estimates, this barrel was numbered around 1902 or so.
I have only seen one or two Model 1898's that did not have the patented "Hang Fire Safety Release" system. And neither were engraved, so yours is one of the earliest engraved guns that I know of. The "B" Grade guns came out later than the "D" Grade guns, a couple of years later.