[mudflat]

I searched for about ten years for a Marlin 30 - 30 with a straight grip, and finally found one on GunsAmerica. It has a 20" barrel and the serial number is 20xxxxxx. This makes it a 1980 year of manufacture. I've read that the Texans had 18 1/2" barrels, so is mine a Texan?

I think I've attached a photo.

 

[Hyphenated]

I have seen the straight grip guns in both configurations. I would say it is a Texan with either barrel length.

 

[mudflat]

OK, thanks.

 

[axxe55]

Marlin also use to make a Model 36, which was very similar to the Model 336 but with a straight grip and lever. if i remember correctly, it was the predecesor to the 336 and they overlapped for several years. i will post more information when i find it.

 

[1894]

I believe that the model 36 still would have had the square bolt ( like on a model 1894 ) . The 336 was the first model to have a round bolt .

 

[Hyphenated]

Marlin also use to make a Model 36, which was very similar to the Model 336 but with a straight grip and lever. if i remember correctly, it was the predecesor to the 336 and they overlapped for several years. i will post more information when i find it.

I'm pretty sure the Model 36 came in both grip styles. I have one with a pistol grip stock. It would be an interesting research project to see when Marlin introduced the pistol grip.

 

[1894]

I'm pretty sure the Model 36 came in both grip styles. I have one with a pistol grip stock. It would be an interesting research project to see when Marlin introduced the pistol grip.

In the Col. Brophy book it looks like.
The pistol grip stock goes back to the Ballard lever action rifles from the 1870's . Marlins first pistol grip stock for a lever action was on the first lever action Marlin , the model 1881. It first shows up in catalogs in 1882.

 

[Hyphenated]

Thanks for the info 1894. I should have known that since I favor the pistol grip stocks. I think it is a much more natural hand position.

 

[1894]

I searched for about ten years for a Marlin 30 - 30 with a straight grip, and finally found one on GunsAmerica. It has a 20" barrel and the serial number is 20xxxxxx. This makes it a 1980 year of manufacture. I've read that the Texans had 18 1/2" barrels, so is mine a Texan?

I think I've attached a photo.

From the Brophy book :

Model 336 T was made from 1954 - 1983 . Also a TDL ( Texan deluxe ) from 1962 - 1963 .

1957 description reads : Model 336 T as a full length magazine tube , straight stock , 20" barrel . Available in both 30-30 and 35 ( I assume 35 remington ) .
So my guess is that if it has a T or TDL stamped on the barrel it is officially a " Texan"

 

[mudflat]

Texan?

1894,
Thanks for the info. Now I have a real problem, my rifle isn't stamped with a T or anything else. I've attached photos. OK, now what?

 

[Hyphenated]

While the Brophy book is a good resource I don't know if all questions can be resolved with it. Marlin was pretty thrifty with their parts and were always using items from other models and years. Sometimes barrel stampings didn't always match the finished product. I have rifles that are not marked 'deluxe', but have the checkered wood and ones that are marked 'deluxe' without the checkered wood. So I would not discount your rifle as not being a Texan just because of the plain barrel.

There is some controversy over the manufacture dates of the Model 375 because some have been found with serial numbers before 1980. Most knowledgeable Marlin folks concede that some may have been produced with receivers left in inventory from around 1978-79.

In any event, as long as you like it, that is all that matters.

 

[greyhawk50]

I have a 1981 Marlin with the straight stock and an 18" barrel (pictured in another thread). I consider it a Texan but the barrel is marked with only the 336 marking. Who knows??? Either way, it's a keeper and is one of my favorites. )

 

[mudflat]

Texan?

Greyhawk50,

Yes I agree with your sentiments about the rifle. I originally wanted a straight grip 30-30 and waited many years before one came along. I was very tempted to buy the pistol gripped rifle on a number of occasions, but always decided that I really wanted a straight grip rifle.
It was after I acquired the rifle that I found that it was probably a 'Texan' and started enquiring about its history and ran into the present quandry. I guess the bottom line is that the rifle is a straight grip Win 30-30 made in 1980, so it is a Texan.

I now own four straight grip Marlin lever action rifles: 1894 44mag, 1895 Cowboy 45-70, Model 336 in Win 38-55 and Win 30-30. I love 'em all! The 44mag and 30-30 are microgroove rifled barrels and the 45-70 and 38-55 are Ballard rifling. Accuracy in all of them is tremendous.

 

[mudflat]

Texan?

While the Brophy book is a good resource I don't know if all questions can be resolved with it. Marlin was pretty thrifty with their parts and were always using items from other models and years. Sometimes barrel stampings didn't always match the finished product. I have rifles that are not marked 'deluxe', but have the checkered wood and ones that are marked 'deluxe' without the checkered wood. So I would not discount your rifle as not being a Texan just because of the plain barrel.

There is some controversy over the manufacture dates of the Model 375 because some have been found with serial numbers before 1980. Most knowledgeable Marlin folks concede that some may have been produced with receivers left in inventory from around 1978-79.

In any event, as long as you like it, that is all that matters.

Exactly! I do like it. I waited for it, now I have it and will lose it when I die.

 

[1894]

I too would consider it a Texan .
Glad you got what you wanted !!!
Now let us know how it shoots

 

[1894]

While the Brophy book is a good resource I don't know if all questions can be resolved with it. Marlin was pretty thrifty with their parts and were always using items from other models and years. Sometimes barrel stampings didn't always match the finished product. I have rifles that are not marked 'deluxe', but have the checkered wood and ones that are marked 'deluxe' without the checkered wood. So I would not discount your rifle as not being a Texan just because of the plain barrel.

There is some controversy over the manufacture dates of the Model 375 because some have been found with serial numbers before 1980. Most knowledgeable Marlin folks concede that some may have been produced with receivers left in inventory from around 1978-79.

In any event, as long as you like it, that is all that matters.

I have a 1981 Marlin with the straight stock and an 18" barrel (pictured in another thread). I consider it a Texan but the barrel is marked with only the 336 marking. Who knows??? Either way, it's a keeper and is one of my favorites. )

I like the Brophy book because it is about the best single source reference out there on marlins and even Ballards.
Regarding having a "T" or "TDL" roll mark , poor choice in wording ( actually just not enough wording ) on my part
I know very well that not every marlin is roll marked with whatever variation it is . So my apologies for not including that disclaimer.

 

[Hyphenated]

No apology necessary. These discussions are great places to learn. I am always happy to hear others opinions.

 

[hunter5567]

Does anyone have a 336 texan with the T stamped on the barrel?
Mine is a 1971 model with brass saddle ring. No T stamp.

 

[Rooster59]

Hyphenated pretty much hit the nail on the head. You can't absolutely trust the barrel markings to determine if yours is a Texan. If the stock serial number matches the frame serial number (1980) and it has an 18.5" barrel it is most likely an original Texan. The "Texan" reference seems to be a semi-official model name depending on the year. As an example, a lot of rifles with barrels marked RC are real Texans. That being said, my 1984 model with straight grip, cross bolt safety, and 18.5" barrel is marked exactly as a Texan of that year with "336TS".

Here's some pretty darn accurate descriptions of Texans in the category yours is in:

Years of production: 1951 - 1984
Basic specs: 30-30 Win & 35 Rem, 20" barrel, straight grip butt stock

Some exceptions to the above standard spec description:
1964 - 35 Rem caliber no longer offered
1965 - Also chambered in 44 Rem Mag
1965 - Saddle ring added to left side of receiver
1967 - 44 Rem mag no longer offered
1970 - Round lever dropped, square lever introduced
1972 - Saddle ring dropped
1979 - Glenfield 30GT offered but with 18.5" barrel
1980 - 336T barrel changed from 20" to 18 1/2"
1984 - First year of cross bolt safety (TS)
1988 - Last year of production of Texan

Some later models were called Texans, designated LTS, and all made with 16.25" barrels from the mid-60's Marauders.

I can by no means testify under oath all this is true but it seems to be the set of information most Texan "experts" can agree on.

 

[Rooster59]

To further confuse the issue, the 1962 Texan I recently purchased for my wife in 35 Rem has all the correct specs; 20" barrel, straight butt stock, skinny forend, barrel bands, and matching serial numbers, but is marked with only 336 on the barrel. Go figure.