Dating a Marlin lever action rifle?

[Shane in WI]

As I stated in my post "Marlin 40-65" I am buying a lever action Marilin rifle which has been rebarreled to 40-65.  I am picking it up tonight, and have the serial #, but no model number as I think all that info was stamped onto the barrel.  Is there a site where the gun can be dated and maybe even learn what model it was before this rebarreling?  It has a cross bolt safety and a pistol grip wood stock, so I believe it to be a modern rifle, about 15 years old maybe?
Thanks,

[jackfish]

It is no doubt based on the 336 action so is probably either a 336, 1895 or 444.  In any case the first two digits of the serial number should reveal the year of manufacture.  What are the first two digits of the serial number?  Inspection of the bolt face might reveal if it were a 336 or 444 that was modified, otherwise the 1895 bolt face would need no modification.

[inluvwithsara]

I've heard of loving your gun, but dating is going too far..    

[Leverdude]

I dont think the saftey's been out 15 years yet but time flies so I may well be wrong.
The serial# is pretty easy. Subtract the first 2 digits from 2000.
In otherwords if it starts with a 15 its made in 85. After 2000 its similar but I forget exactly how it works. If you check out the Marlin owners site or the Marlin collectors site I'm sure they can help if its newer than 2000.

[jackfish]

After 2000 after you subtract the first two digits from 2100.

[Shane in WI]

The serial number does start with 15 so 1985 makes sence, as that's about what the seller thought.  Thanks for the info.

After I posted the title of this thread, I wondered what I was thinking, but thought no one would notice.  I guess dating your rifle is alittle weird, but I do like it.

Looking forward to loading some rounds and trying it out.  Load data that came with it was using 3031 powder.  I'll have to do some looking at the gun show this weekend.  And pick up some 45/70 brass, It came with several hundred SP bullets.

[pathfinder]

Would this apply to the Marlin made  Western Auto / Revelation lever actions too?  

SN=AD470XX would that make it a 1953?

[CJ]

Shane, as long as you are dating it with honorable intentions its OK.

[victorcharlie]

So....00 means it was made in 2000?

[reallybigfoot]

I have a Marlin Golden 39A I tried to date but I was confused with the instructions on the web site.  The serial number is AC19XXX.  If I used the AC the date was 1967.  If I used the 19 the date is 1981.  Any help?

Jerry

[Shane in WI]

I have a Revelation Lever action 22 rifle that my grandfather bought in 1963 at a Western Auto store.  Recently found the receipt for it.  Think the price was $36.  I'll have to check the serial number and see how that matches up.  Also have a  Marlin 57M, 22 mag that I picked up.  Both guns have the same action, short throw lever w/ tube feed.  The Revalation was "my squirrel gun" when I was just younger.   (I guess It still is)
Thanks again for the info.  I'll let you know on the 22's.

[jackfish]

Maybe ask here on the 39A:
http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4

[Shane in WI]

I checked and the Revalation 22 rifle didn't have a serial number that I could see with the gun assembled.  The Marlin 22 mag Model 57M has a low # 71x.  So I don't know if that would work with this gun.  Would make it a 1929 production gun.

[Leverdude]

The ones with a letter prefix predate the above dating method.
 dont know off hand what year an "A" prefix would be but if you follow the link Jackfish posted to the Marlin owners site they have a forum for info & the table is posted on there.

[Paul Barnard]

I would date my 45-70 lever gun, but the hole in the end of the barrel is too big.