I have studied the PDF that shows the serial number/date of manufacture and cannot make heads or tales of it. I inherited a 1895 rifle 45-70 w/o cross bolt safety and would like to date it. can anyone help? Do I use the first 2 numbers, the last 2, or? It does not have a "letter" in the serial number.
Welcome to the forum Tango6.... Just knowing your rifle doesn't have the cross bolt safety means it is before 1983. To narrow it down to the exact year subtract the first two numbers from 100. Example: 23XXXXX subtracted from 100 = 1977 Hope this helps.
If my rifle-22" barrel-is from 1920 it is in exceptional condition. Is there another definitive source on marlins that can definitively date my rifle?
I haven't jumped in because I've not had a problem in the past of finding the mfg. dates for my 336s. I assumed that your quest would be as easy. However, I've spent the last 1/2 hour searching the web and have not been able to find a definitive answer about your model 1895. Here is a link to a forum that gives more info than I care to copy. Check out post #6 by Bear 45/70. He seems to know his stuff. That post includes a couple links. http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?130714-Marlin-1895-45-70 I hope this helps. Don't quote me, but it appears to have been made in 1980????????????????? Grey
Greyhawk50, I appreciate the help. I own 2-336's and 1-39A and had no problem dating them but this 1895 has been a real problem. I had researched it for 2-3 days before I ever posted on here and the closest, I could come was pre 1983 because of the lack of the CBS. Your 1980 is probably right but I will look at the links you posted and once I get it nailed down, I will post it here. Thanks again.
Tango6... Is it possible to post a picture of your serial number with the last few numbers blacked out? The current production 1895, both .444 and .45-70, started in the 1960's so my guess is 1920 is incorrect. If your rifle has no letter prefix it was made between 1969 and 1983. The attached picture should help.
The "Gunboards' forum sux. I registered over 15 hours ago and got an account and am still awaiting the admin to open it. I have sent them one message and got no response. Sooooooooooo.
I don't have a camera at this time due to the fact I dropped mine out of a tree stand. I will try to get a pix soon but the serial number is 8005XXX.
That my friend is a puzzle. I could come up with several scenarios that might explain the oddity, but they would all be conjecture. Unfortunately I doubt there is anyone left working at Marlin/Remington with enough knowledge to help you. You might check in over at Marlin Owners and ask Tom Ray or Kon, both former Marlin employees.
Marlin owners member "bloodgroove4570" said 1980. That is the same year that Greyhawk thought so I gues it is 1980. Thanks everyone for the help.
