Marlin .410 lever action with an interesting feature

David LaPell · Sep 11, 2019

Well, I did it again. I was looking for a .410 shotgun for small game hunting, and every shop I went to didn't have anything I wanted or fit me, so I looked around online at places I had bought from before, and found an original Marlin .410 lever action shotgun. This one being a deluxe model, however it seems to have an interesting feature I've never seen on one before. It looks as though someone added a button to the bottom of the frame, and I am wondering if it's maybe a magazine cut off. Someone had taken the time once to add ivory inlays to the already deluxe version and I am wondering if that's when they added this. I got the gun at a shooter price so it could be an interesting modification. I included photos of two other Marlin .410's to show what they look like normally. Anyone else ever run across something like this? I am still waiting on the gun to get here to see for sure, but it was professionally done from appearances and a long time ago from the wear on the gun.

rwsmith · Sep 12, 2019

Does the button stay in when depressed?

It's in the perfect place for a a mag cutoff and many shotguns have provisions for a mag cutoff.

I fire and I want put in birdshot round. (why not?)

I hold the receiver with my left hand depressing the button.

Can I load one through the gate with the lever open or do I need to close the lever while holding the button.

If I close the lever, does putting a shell in the gate put it in a position to load on next cocking?

You're right. It is unusual. That's something I'd have to study before I tried to use it.

Texas Star · Sep 12, 2019

I think I see another item that may be a take-down switch. Otherwise, I'd guess that.

I've fired a M-336 but never held one of these shotguns.

Is that made on a M-93 action?

Are you going to refinish this gun, at least the wood?

David LaPell · Sep 12, 2019

Texas Star said:
I think I see another item that may be a take-down switch. Otherwise, I'd guess that.

I've fired a M-336 but never held one of these shotguns.

Is that made on a M-93 action?

Are you going to refinish this gun, at least the wood?

I will have to see the gun up close before I decide what to do with the wood. I really want to take this gun squirrel hunting, and yes, Marlin made these on the 1893 action. One of the reasons why these Marlin .410's are nicer than the new ones they released a few years back is that the new ones were simply .45-70's without rifling and had a heavier barrel and stock, the early guns tend to be much lighter.

Ivan the Butcher · Sep 12, 2019

That is definitely an extended magazine cut off switch. The purpose isn't quite clear, unless it is to keep too long or too short hulls from coming too far to the rear. Standard Paper and plastic hulls are 2 1/2" long empty, but the hauls when loaded are only 2 1/8 long. 3" hauls are that long empty and about 2 5/8 loaded. Or there is the issue with different length all brass hauls, they run from 2 to 2 1/2 inches long (loaded or empty)

I hope you new gun accepts 2 1/2" plastic, for ease of buying ammo. But I have older Pump Guns that only feed paper or brass reliably (which is why many older great guns go cheap!)

On modern 410 ammo, the companies don't sell enough 410 to warrant making more than one style of hull for 410 (same for wads) so AA competition skeet hulls are the same as Super X hunting ammo. Remington and Federal do the same thing. The fly in the ointment is Winchester ammo changed the plastic hull for all 410 ammo around 12 years ago, to what they call the HS hull (both hunting and competition are marked in big black letters HS, on the side of the hull) This uses the RED wad. ALL other 410 ammo (plastic hulls only) use the same WHITE wads.

I doubt you will reload just for this gun. But if what you find in stores isn't working for you, first try the other brands, then try paper hulled ammo (full boxes are almost impossible to find, but I find half boxes at gun shows and gun shops the specialize in older guns all the time.)

Mag Tech makes all brass hulls that use large rifle primers (boxer primed). These can be bought from Midway and Ballistic Products, and are loaded with felt wads and cork over the powder cards and cardboard over the shot cards. [I have almost 5 minutes in loading each Black Powder 12 or 20 gauge shell, I would think 410 is 10 to 25 percent slower to load, based on loading plastic ammo.] Paper, plastic, and brass hauls take slightly different equipment and components. But use the same powders and shot.

I have some old loading manuals, PM me if you want load info for paper or brass ammo.

Ivan

cgt4570 · Sep 12, 2019

Are you sure that's a 'deluxe' and not a standard that someone checkered?
I have a standard .410 (these were stock option give-aways btw).
I also have a 'deluxe' Marlin 1898. The wood on the deluxe is much nicer and the checkering is finer.
I suspect someone fancied yours up with the checkering and inlays.

Inusuit · Sep 12, 2019

Whatever it is, it's a handsome old gun. If you refinished the wood, it wouldn't match the patina on the metal parts. I'd leave it just the way it is and shoot it. But that's just me. Your gun, do what you want.

2152hq · Sep 12, 2019

I was thinking the same thing about a standard grade 410 then being aftermarket checkered.
IIRC the Deluxe 410 didn't have the finger grooves in the forend wood like the Field grade. Same overall shape, but no grooves.
Checkering pattern was laid out and cut higher up on the wood as a result. There's not a lot of the Deluxe grades around to compare too.

These guns were chambered for 2 1/2" 410 and would function w/ 2" 410 shells as well. The latter still popular at the time in the late 20's.

What you see in the pics of the bottom plate on an unaltered Model1936 is the cartridge stop portion of the carrier visible through that rectangular hole.
The carrier is also the shell stop.
It blocks the next round from feeding too early from the magazine.
The lever in it's return swing is what kicks the carrier down all the way and allows the next rd from the magazine onto the carrier.
Still the same on the 336 Model

That 'view hole' was added during late Model 93 or early 36 production to allow the assemblers easier adj and timing of the action.
(The extra trigger plate screw on the lower left side on the action was added at that time also for strength.)

I'd go along with the idea of the plunger being a manual cartridge cutoff. Holding the carrier up and blocking the magtube while the lever is closed.

Marlin .410 lever action with an interesting feature

David LaPell

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rwsmith

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Texas Star

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David LaPell

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Ivan the Butcher

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cgt4570

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Inusuit

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2152hq

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