I recently received this nice Marlin model 88-DL as a gift from my very dear friend and fellow MO member, Maudite. Found in the used gun rack at small shop near him, he spent quite some time restoring it to the condition you see here…
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He did a fantastic job and the gun is in phenomenal condition for its age, both cosmetically and mechanically, with just enough small battle scars and wear to lend character. After receiving it from him, I spent the rest of the day admiring it, that evening exploring the inner workings, and the next few days developing a strong desire to learn more about this fascinating Marlin.
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The model 88 is a .22 LR autoloader, with a fifteen shot tubular magazine, fed through the butt plate. Originally wearing a 24 inch barrel with Ballard rifling, which was changed to Micro-Groove later in production, the standard version, the 88-C, was introduced in 1946. It is a man-sized rifle with an overall length of a bit over 45 inches, and tipping the scales at 6 3/4 pounds. Sights were the standard Marlin fare, a dovetailed rear notch with elevation slide and a hooded front bead.
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The 88-DL was not introduced until 1953 and differed from the 88-C by its hand checkered walnut stock, factory installed sling swivels, and a peep sight mounted to the rear of the receiver. In this example, the receiver is grooved for scope mounting and the barrel is Micro-Grooved, but the peep sight is understandably but regrettably missing, (if anyone knows where I could locate one, I would be forever grateful). Both versions of the 88 were discontinued in 1956, the DL having only a three year production run.
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A trip to the range proved the old gal could function just fine, fifty rounds passing through the very smooth action without a bobble. Loading was made easy by a shallow funnel in the butt plate leading to the mouth of the tube magazine. Without the original peep, I had to force these aging eyes to focus on the standard open sights, a very fine u-notch and bead combo. Even so, I was rewarded with ten shot groups at 25 yards hovering around one inch, often with six or seven of those holes clustering into a half inch. My eyes simply can not do better, and the addition of a vintage scope may be the next step to see what she is really capable of.
With Swany’s help, I was able to locate copies of some vintage advertisements….
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…but beyond this, there is precious little information available on this interesting old Marlin. Even here on MO, the only reference I could find was an unanswered question on the model 88, dating back to 2004. If anyone has any additional information, please feel free to add it to this thread.
Another heart felt thank you, Maudite. This rifle is a great piece of Marlin history, but it’s the time and effort you put into it, that makes it so special. You’re one in a million pal, and I’m honored to call you a friend.
Roe
He did a fantastic job and the gun is in phenomenal condition for its age, both cosmetically and mechanically, with just enough small battle scars and wear to lend character. After receiving it from him, I spent the rest of the day admiring it, that evening exploring the inner workings, and the next few days developing a strong desire to learn more about this fascinating Marlin.
The model 88 is a .22 LR autoloader, with a fifteen shot tubular magazine, fed through the butt plate. Originally wearing a 24 inch barrel with Ballard rifling, which was changed to Micro-Groove later in production, the standard version, the 88-C, was introduced in 1946. It is a man-sized rifle with an overall length of a bit over 45 inches, and tipping the scales at 6 3/4 pounds. Sights were the standard Marlin fare, a dovetailed rear notch with elevation slide and a hooded front bead.
The 88-DL was not introduced until 1953 and differed from the 88-C by its hand checkered walnut stock, factory installed sling swivels, and a peep sight mounted to the rear of the receiver. In this example, the receiver is grooved for scope mounting and the barrel is Micro-Grooved, but the peep sight is understandably but regrettably missing, (if anyone knows where I could locate one, I would be forever grateful). Both versions of the 88 were discontinued in 1956, the DL having only a three year production run.
A trip to the range proved the old gal could function just fine, fifty rounds passing through the very smooth action without a bobble. Loading was made easy by a shallow funnel in the butt plate leading to the mouth of the tube magazine. Without the original peep, I had to force these aging eyes to focus on the standard open sights, a very fine u-notch and bead combo. Even so, I was rewarded with ten shot groups at 25 yards hovering around one inch, often with six or seven of those holes clustering into a half inch. My eyes simply can not do better, and the addition of a vintage scope may be the next step to see what she is really capable of.
With Swany’s help, I was able to locate copies of some vintage advertisements….
…but beyond this, there is precious little information available on this interesting old Marlin. Even here on MO, the only reference I could find was an unanswered question on the model 88, dating back to 2004. If anyone has any additional information, please feel free to add it to this thread.
Another heart felt thank you, Maudite. This rifle is a great piece of Marlin history, but it’s the time and effort you put into it, that makes it so special. You’re one in a million pal, and I’m honored to call you a friend.
Roe
