Thanks for the info and feedback. As far as checking the screw holes, they are factory on top of the receiver, but !! there are 4 small screws on the Barrel. There are 2 screws ahead of the receiver 1 inch and an inch apart, and there are 2 screws ahead of the rear sight 1 inch and they are spaced 1/2 inch apart from each other. These last 2 are drilled through the patent date August 1893. I have seen a couple of Marlins thru the years that had a very long scope on the barrel. I suppose these were aftermarket?
Thanks again
droptine9
Factory letter
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