Author Topic: Foremost 3040 (Read 893 times)

greenjeans · « **on:** May 22, 2006, 04:21:28 PM »

Had a friend at work give me a Marlin Model 3040 in 30-30 today. Marked Foremost. Learned it was a JC Penny house brand. Cross references say it is a Mod. 336. No cross bar safety, black synthetic stock that looks like it once had a barrel band on it. Lots of surface rust, but cleaned up pretty well. Bore is excellent, and internals look great. Fellow didn't even know what caliber it was, just wanted to get rid of it since he is moving. Looks like a good truck gun. Anyone know when these were made. Can't remember when Penny's sold guns.

old geezer · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2006, 12:52:58 AM »

All of the made by Marlin house brands I've seen or heard of use the same numbering system as the standard models. Subtract the first two digits of the serial number from 2000. If it starts with a single or double letter, then you need to look at the codes listed several places in this forum.

greenjeans · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2006, 03:57:34 PM »

old geezer, mine starts with 72 so would that make it 1928. Went to a site that looks up serial numbers and it came back with a 1907 or later. Had to work on it some to get it to function properly. The loading spring/gate was loose and bent and hanging up the lifter when it had a round in it. Functioned great today. Shot an inch or so at 50 yards with Winchester PP's and about 2-1/2" with Rem. Core-lokts.

Thanks for the Serial no. tip.

old geezer · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2006, 12:10:20 AM »

Greenjeans,

I misled you just a little bit. Marlin started using the number system I mentioned above in 1973. From 1968 thru 1972, they used the years as the first two numbers. From 1946 thru 1968, they used a letter or letters for the beginning numbers.

Your rifle would have been made in 1972. Sorry for the confusion. Loading gate spring tension is a common problem with Marlins. Keep the screw snug, and you'll have no problem.

greenjeans · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2006, 02:10:16 PM »

Thanks, geezer. Really doesn't matter to me when it was made, other than curiosity. The stock is definitely aftermarket and there is really no value of the rifle except as a shooter. I put a 3 x 9 x 40 I had laying around on it and plan to use it as a truck gun for wild dogs and such at my friends farm. Was also a good learning experience for me trying to figure out what was wrong with it. Know a lot more about the workings of a Marlin now. Thanks for the help.