Need Help Identifying Old Marlin Semi 22 Rifle

[bmhiii]

OK, I know this is the Smith & Wesson forum, but I'm tired of searching the internet trying to figure this out.

I picked up an old family rifle today in a bucket. More on that some other day.

The barrel's outside was covered in rust but after 5-10 minutes with Breakfree and a Chore Boy, I was able to make this out:

The Marlin Firearms Co
-<--<<< NEW HAVEN.CONN.U.S.A-
22 LONG RIFLE ONLY.SMOKELESS GREASED

The first line was in script style writing.

A little history: I remember seeing this rifle in around 1965 so it's older than that. I don't remember it as "new" back then so I think it was an older rifle then.

It is a clip fed semi-auto rifle.

Any hints on where to find the serial number? Model number?

How about where I can find more info? I know there's rimfirecentral but spent some time lurking over there and I need a model/serial number.

Thanks in advance...

Here's a pic of the stock w/ the barrel in it. Obvously the stock has been sanded.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Looks a lot like a Marlin Model 89-I have a Model 88 which is the tube fed version. For Marlins THE reference is Brophy's book. If you can post more pictures and closeups I can look in my copy.

 

[bmhiii]

Looks a lot like a Marlin Model 89-I have a Model 88 which is the tube fed version. For Marlins THE reference is Brophy's book. If you can post more pictures and closeups I can look in my copy.

Ah, I hint. I Googled Marlin Model 89 and one of the hits was I think an 88. Anyway, the rifle looks a lot like this (except rusty and in a bucket) but the top of the barrel behind the rear sight is just round and smooth.

Do you know where can I find the serial number?

Any info and where I can find help putting mine back together (after I try and restore)?

How about spare parts?

Thanks BlackHawk....

Thanks again....

Oh, what do you need pictures of? I have no idea...

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Prior to 1968 .22 Rifles and some low end Shotguns were not required to have serial numbers. Your Marlin might not have one.
Jimmy

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Your second set of pictures looks like a Marlin A1E-I have one of those too. No serial numbers-they weren't required by law back then-pre-1968 GCA. I know Marlin didn't bother with them.
Spare parts-Gun Parts Corp is the first place I'd look, then get the Jack First catalogs-they are about $40 for three volumes but worth it. Also Bob's Gun Parts.
For assembly/ disassembly I would post on RimfireCentral.Com.

 

[bmhiii]

Thanks, guys. So I have a pre 1968 Marlin probably Model 89. That's what I was looking for. Now I'm going to try my hand at cleaning it up and putting it back together.

Uh, good luck at that one, Barry...

 

[montezumaz]

You might want to try the Marlin Forum: http://www.marlinowners.com/
Lots of good information there.

 

[2152hq]

Ah, I hint. I Googled Marlin Model 89 and one of the hits was I think an 88. Anyway, the rifle looks a lot like this (except rusty and in a bucket) but the top of the barrel behind the rear sight is just round and smooth.

Do you know where can I find the serial number?

Any info and where I can find help putting mine back together (after I try and restore)?

How about spare parts?

Thanks BlackHawk....

Thanks again....

Oh, what do you need pictures of? I have no idea...

I agree w/ Blackhawknj that the rifle in the pics above is a model A1 series (an A1C I believe)...A1 series rifles have a separate slot in the receiver for the bolt handle behind the ejection port. The Model 88 has the bolt handle attached directly to the bolt through the ejection port.

Your rifle appears to be an A1 also as it has the same bolt handle/slot. The heavier stock pattern makes it a either a Model A1C (Open sights) or a Model A1DL (Target sites and sling swivels). Those were made during the WW2 time period.


The A1 was an updated Model 50. The Model 50 looked alot like it but fired from an open bolt with a fixed fireing pin in the bolt. You can imagine the reasons it was discontinued even in the mid 1930's aside from it's mechanical disadvantages to accurate rifle shooting.

An occasional M50 still used to come in for repair when I worked there but the company refused to work on them even then (early 70's). We had the parts though!

Most all of Marlins brown paper bag 22 bolt action and semi auto rifles from the 30's till GCA 68 won't have ser#'s. The early lever 22's and into the M39's will though. We had to stamp a number onto some of the un-numbered guns that came back as warranty replacements where the customers had been given another gun in exchange. That program was scrapped after a very short while and there after those guns were simply stripped for parts and the receivers scrapped as they came in. Lots and lots of 22 autos....