Marlin Rifle Model

[ancient-one]

Sometime ago on the forum someone posted a picture of a Marlin .22
bolt action with a tubular magazine. During the late 1930's and until 1942
I owned one like it except mine had a clip magazine. The forearm had finger grooves. It disappeared while I was in the service.
Whoever posted the picture told me what model mine was and I have lost the info. If you are still around please tell me again and I won't let it get away. It was the most accurate rifle I have ever owned and I would like to find another just for old times sake. Thanks!

 

[2152hq]

The '80' series was Marlins bolt action 22 clip fed repeater starting before WW2 and lasting thru the 70's.

They also had an '81' series. These were the tube feed models,,BUT they did make a couple of clip fed 22's using the '81' model designation in the early 40's just to confuse things.

The pre-War clip fed model was the Model 80 (open rear sight on the bbl) and the 80E (globe front sight and adj receiver rear sight)

Both came out in 1935
Both had the finger groove stocks till 1937 when the grooves were omitted. That's how you can tell the oldest production is by the finger groove stocks.
The trigger guard were stamped steel from 1935 till they were changed to plastic in 1939.

The Model 80E was also discontinued in 1939. The plain Model 80 not till the late 50's.

They also made the same rifles with the 'Ranger' brand name on them during the same time period.

I bought one of the Ranger marked rifles in the 80E configuration a few years back for $30. Bad outside, great inside. I refit the bbl which was loose (they are only pinned into place) and refinished it. An amazingly accurate rifle. I made a secondary magazine latch on the bottom to secure the mag as I gave the rifle to my brother who hunts all the time. He's never lost a mag while hunting,,just manages to misplace them.
They still make the 7rd mags to fit these old rifles.