Marlin 336 in 35 Rem ?

[autofix4u]

LGS has an older Marlin that I beleve to a 336, In 35 Rem. metal has nice patina and little to no finish left on the wood. Top of reciver has been milled flat and drill & tapped for scope. Has a mint Ballard rifled bore. I can get it for less than 3 bills, Is this a good price?
Thanks, Josh

[Bret4207]

Ummm, pardon my confusion, a 336 should have had a flat topped, drilled and tapped recvr to start with. Are you sure it's been milled? If so how far, 'cuz that seems like a really dumb thing to do to me as far as structural integrity goes.

[725]

Bret,

I don't think the older ones were drilled and tapped. My 1950's version wasn't.

725

[excess650]

336s weren't D&T until 1955 or so. Microgroove replaced cut rifling about the same time as receivers were D&T for scope. 35 Remington was added into the lineup in 1950.

Be sure its a Marlin and not a Stevens 425. They look similar, but the bolt drops down inside the receiver instead of extending out the rear when the lever is opened. The Stevens was chambered in the Remington calibers, but was only made 1910-1917 or so, and not particuarly strong.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I really like the cut rifled 336s and think they should be worth at least as much as a later microgroove, and way more than a post 64 Win 94.

[Bret4207]

Okay, yeah it's true about the D+T since my 1952 SC isn't D+T, I stand corrected. Now what about this milling issue? I'm picturing a paper thin top in a worst case scenario. Just how far did they take this? A picture would be helpful.

Excess- ditto on the value idea, and a Savage 99 would exceed a Win or Marlin!

[autofix4u]

Sorry no pics as of yet. I am not absloute on the reciver being milled. It does appear to be thinner (.030"-.040") than the other I compared it to, and I seem to recall the early Marlins having a non glare "stippling" accross the top. The scope mount holes look to be 8x40 and not the 6x38?
I have no prior experince with Marlin center fires as all my lever guns are Win 94s. I hear the Marins are stronger than the Wins, not that I plan to hotrod anything.

[richhodg66]

I have an old ballard rifled Marlin in .35 and it's probably my favorite rifle. Pretty good shooter with cast and jacketed. I payed $150 for mine off a gunshow table about 17 years ago, the finish is real rough all over, but sound otherwise. Mine has a long barrel and the "perch belly" forend which makes the whole package handle and point very nicely to me.

I'd think 3 bills sounds a bit high, especially if the finish is bad and it's been drilled, but it depends on how bad you want it. For me, I wanted a non microgrooved .35 Remington and at the time it came down to a Remington model 141 or this one and I chose this one. I'd still love to have a nice shooting 141 though.

[madsenshooter]

My 55 made 336R.C was factory d&t'd and has a ballard rifled barrel. Wears a Weaver K4 in Lyman Tru-Lock mounts. Glad you all made me think of it, it needs some oil!

[Ed in North Texas]

My 336 was refinished and reblued to a matte blue. D&T, but I can't remember if factory or after. Non-Micro-groove and I think '56, but CRS strikes with some frequency these days, so don't hold me to the exact year. $350.00 early this year.

[cobroller]

Most used ( micro grooved &/or safety) 336 are priced around $325 here. But in the rougher condition they might be in the $280 range. Early 50's in good condition will be closer to $400.

This one sounds like you should drive a hard bargain.

[oscarflytyer]

Would be surprised if it is milled - don't know why it would be.

<$300 sounds real good to me if the rifle is sound.

Pix would be VERY helpful. I have a 35 and love it. Yet to take a deer with it - hopefully this season...

Jump over to MarlinOwners forum. You will get a TON if info!

[x101airborne]

I am usually liberal with money when it is something I want. I would haggle the guy down 20 or 25 bucks to make me feel good, then walk out the door with it. I like the "patina-d" rifles. Shows character and someone LOVED it to use it that much. In 1994 I bought a 73 winny with almost no origional finish. Carried that rifle exclusively for years till I went to the army. Killed everything with it. I know why it had no finish left, It is a dang good rifle and worthy of not having any finish left. Told my wife the rifle was here before her and will be here after her.

[rond]

Seems high to me for the condition described, but I have seen some beat up rifles that were priced higher. Didn't see anyone buy them though.