History of bullseye in butt stock?

[S.B.]

When did these first appear? What year? I have a 336 made in 1966 that doesn't have this feature. Replacement stock? Butt plate doesn't say Marlin, either and grip cap doesn't have brass screw, like my other Marlins?

[Slufoot]

I don't know about the history but I do know that Marlin only puts them in the walnut stocked guns. Birch stocks do not get the Bullseye.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[Keith L]

I don't know about the history but I do know that Marlin only puts them in the walnut stocked guns. Birch stocks do not get the Bullseye.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

that is interesting.  I have a 30 AW.  I was told that it is a Wal Mart special with the matt finished metal and Birch stock.  It has a bullseye in the stock, and I always thought it was stained rather well for Birch.  It looks just like Walnut.  Maybe it is?

[Reese]

Found this link via Google;

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/customersupport/faq.aspx

12. What is the small round black and white dot on the bottom of my Marlin stock?

      This is the Marlin "Bullseye". This trademark has been used since 1922 on all Marlin walnut buttstocks. Please note that this is not a suitable place to install a swivel for you firearm. Swivels should be mounted approximately 2 inches from the toe of the butt.

[Rangr44]

[Replacement stock? Butt plate doesn't say Marlin, either and grip cap doesn't have brass screw, like my other Marlins?]

AFAIK, original Marlin lever action rifles have the serial number stamped into the internal butt stock wood.

A lot of Marlin's were made with the plain black (hard rubber/plastic?) butt plate that has horizontal serrations for "traction", ILO the Marlin logo plate.

My totally original 1967 Marlin 336, which my best friend ordered from Marlin back then, doesn't have the brass PG cap screw either.

[Blowtorch53]

I just bought on an auction that was "missing the bullseye."  I had no $#^%*&@ clue what this meant but now I know!  Where can I get one?  Thanks,  BT 53

[EsoxLucius]

I had a bullseye fall out while hunting several years back.  I just wrote Marlin and they sent me a new one for nothing.  I installed it myself, nothing a little sanding can't handle.

[Blowtorch53]

I don't know if it is true, but a guy at a gunshop told me last week that the bullseye was kind of a sales gimmick.  He said when the Marlin is standing in a rack, you can distinguish it from other brands by seeing the bullseye.  BT53

[Greenhunter]

If your Marlin gun does not have the little bulls-eye, then it is worthless and you should get rid of it. As a good person, I will gladly take the piece of junk off your hands and I will pay the shipping cost. Just let me know.   

[njanear]

Found this link via Google;  http://www.marlinfirearms.com/customersupport/faq.aspx

12. What is the small round black and white dot on the bottom of my Marlin stock?

      This is the Marlin "Bullseye". This trademark has been used since 1922 on all Marlin walnut buttstocks. Please note that this is not a suitable place to install a swivel for you firearm. Swivels should be mounted approximately 2 inches from the toe of the butt.

For some reason, many of the people that I know who own 336s have the rear swivel drilled right through the bullseye.  Maybe Marlin should put a peel off Cross-out (Circle with slash) label over the bullseye to deter them from doing that?   

[james]

I always thought they were put there to mark the spot of the the sling swivel and to keep the wood from splitting when it was drilled for the stud.

[Old Grizz]

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=135907

Try this for a Marlin bullseye.