Not a good picture but I have a 1893 Marlin 30-30 also. Straight stock, short barrel, 4rd mag. Brass beed front sight and "Marbles" Pronghorn rear sight. My Dad bought it used in 1936. S/N is 24XX.

Contacted Marlin about it maybe 30 years ago, they said the records burned in a fire but that they thought they never made one in 30-30. Said it was a 32-20 possibly converted. Mines clearly marked 30-30 and no other markings but that.

 

Mine says on the tang "Marlin Model 1936"

 

Mine has the same square bolt and grey finish. I thought your post was saying it was made in 1936.
Somewhere on the board is a post to a website to look up the S/N for date of Manufacture.
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php

 

Nice find!!

 

Congrats. That's a sweet old rifle. The B serial number prefix dates it as built in 1941, so you've probably got a Marlin built before we got into WWII.

 

Brian,
I'd love to know the real scoop since I've been told two different things, maybee you guys on here can tell me?

I was told the Model 1936 was only made in 1936 and 1937 and was labeled the "Model 1936". Bxxx serial numbers being in 1937.

After that slight changes were made and it was called the Model 36 until 1947 and then the major changes were made in 1948 when the 336 arrived.

Is that accurate? or what is the real deal?

 

Matt,

The folowing is from the reference library section on MO home page and the Marlin year of manufacture sticky.

Here is the link http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,495.0.html

CJ

Model 1936: 1936 to 1941.
30-30, 32 Special
The 1936 had case colored receivers & Model 1936 on upper tang.
1936 1st series production (no letter prefix serial numbers) had flat mainspring, fluted comb buttstock, perch belly forearm, hard rubber buttplate w/slotted screws. Starting in 1937, this model was listed in Marlin's Catalogs as the Model 36 and was only there referred to as the 36. The gun itself was still stamped Model 1936 until sporting arms production was discontinued in 1941. Serial numbers located on the lower tang under the lever.
B-prefix series: Changes to unfluted comb & beavertail forearm, hard rubber buttplate w/ phillips screws, upper tang was shortened and the use of coil mainsprings vice leaf mainsprings. 1941 Production.

No Letter Prefix-1936 to 1940
B-1941

No WWII Production Late 1941 to late 1945

Model 36: 1946 to 1947.
30-30, 32 Special
Model 36 is marked on the barrel, not on the tang as in the Model 1936 and earlier guns. Blued reciever. Serial numbers located on the lower tang under the lever. These are squarebolts and are not to be confused with later roundbolt Glenfield 36 (336 roundbolt action). Late 1945 production resumed on limited basis using C prefix and leftover parts (some guns will have Pre-WWII Model 1936 parts mixed with Post WWII Model 36 parts. IE: 1936 action with 36 barrel. These guns are considered Model 36s.
Post WWII production had blued receivers and Model 36 on barrel
Barrel roll stamp reads:
"The Marlin Firearms Co. New Haven Conn USA-est 1870"
Model 36 (then caliber designation)
Variations of Model #: 36-A-DL, 36-A, 36-RC C-1945 shiny blue on top of receiver
c-1946 (note: c prefix is lower case)
D-1947 sandblasted top of receiver starts
Model 36 Production supposedly ceased in 1947. However Model 336 production began in June 1948. Is a there a possiblity of some E prefix Model 36s??

Model 336: June 1948 to present.

 

Nice find, now you'll have to get a vintage tang as it is drilled and tapped for it. Glad you got the coil mainspring model, makes finding new wood an easier task if needed.

I have a 36 that pretty much looks the same as yours, I'm sure you will enjoy it. Try some light cast loads in it.

 

Not a good picture but I have a 1893 Marlin 30-30 also. Straight stock, short barrel, 4rd mag. Brass beed front sight and "Marbles" Pronghorn rear sight. My Dad bought it used in 1936. S/N is 24XX.

Contacted Marlin about it maybe 30 years ago, they said the records burned in a fire but that they thought they never made one in 30-30. Said it was a 32-20 possibly converted. Mines clearly marked 30-30 and no other markings but that.

Theres probly more 1893's & 93's in 30/30 than any other caliber. They never made a 93 in 32/20, those were in 1894s & 1889s. The 1893 was chambered in 30/30, 32/40, 38/55, 32 special & 25/36. The later model 1936 & 36 were chambered in 30/30 and 32 special, maybe 25/36 but I dont think so.

 

Leverdude,
Went to the MO post ref Mod 93's. Both say the S/N is under the receiver just behind the Forearm. Mine S/N is under the lever.

 

mattusmc,
congratulations!! That is a beautiful rifle. I would like to find one of those one day. I recently got an 1893 in 30-30 and I posted over on the collectors site to see what I could find out. WOW!! There are folks over there who know more about old Marlins than you would ever think possible. They were a big help to me. I would suggest that you post over there and learn a ton of stuff. That is one nice rifle. Semper Fi.

 

Leverdude,
Went to the MO post ref Mod 93's. Both say the S/N is under the receiver just behind the Forearm. Mine S/N is under the lever.

Not sure when they moved it to under the lever but it was probably late in the 93 run I believe by the time the model 1936 came out they were under the lever for a couple years. If you ask down in our collectors forum they will know much better.

Brophy's book on page 205 that some 93's had B,C & D prefixes on the numbers & were on the lower tang (under the lever) It also says on page 207 that they changed from 1893 to 93 in 1905, though I'v always been told it was around 1921.
Hard facts can be tough to come by for the old guns.

 

Thanks for all the great info guys.
While this site was down I found another site that said basically, no letter or a B was 1936 and 1937. I tend to trust this site for all my Marlin info and was lost with it down! Mine definitely has the case colored receiver too. Regardless it is a pretty sweet gun I am pumped I found it ;D

 

This thread is very timely as I bought this 1936 on Tuesday through a local classified ad! The guy I bought it from said it had been his dad's gun but didn't seem too interested in keeping it, what a shame. Anyway the serial number is B4xxx, would anybody know when mine was made? I'd like to add a tang sight but have no idea which models will work. Suggestions?

 

From what I am reading above I'd say we both got 1941 vintage guns. Nice find

 

This thread is very timely as I bought this 1936 on Tuesday through a local classified ad! The guy I bought it from said it had been his dad's gun but didn't seem too interested in keeping it, what a shame. Anyway the serial number is B4xxx, would anybody know when mine was made? I'd like to add a tang sight but have no idea which models will work. Suggestions?

There should be two screws on the top tang. If you give me the center to center measurement I'll see if I have one.
Terry

 

Square bolts are very cool ;D

 

Guys,
I found this 1936 Marlin .30-30 a few days ago. I'd never seen one for sale before so I decided to snatch it up. I think it is in great shape though I have not had a chance to shoot it yet. Seems to function properly though. S/N B2xxx. I paid $540 for it and I don't know if that is a good price or not but I bought it anyway since I'd never seen one for sale before. Let me know your thoughts...
Can't wait to shoot it

Great find !!.I'm sure you will enjoy it.I would check out the ejector on it as they commonly break the spring.(just like the 93's)The actions are almost the same as the 1893/93 and share parts.The 1936 B prefix was made in 1937.They were made in 30-30 and 32 spl calibers and in three configuirations.C (RC),SC and A.I have a 1936 first year production very low serial #4xx with the leaf spring mainspring.Good Shooting!
PS:If you need any parts as firing pins,ejectors etc go to www.wisners.com
New pic of magic fence post with Marlin growing on top,my 1936 32 spl Carbine

 

Mattusmc,
Dont be surprised if the rifle shoots way high.It seems to be a fairly common issue on these.If it does you will have to install a taller front sight.

 

Thanks for the tips Levergunz. I have not had a chance to shoot it yet. I will report as soon as I do.

 

I think a Lyman tang sight would look great on that old gun. Like this one.

 

Well, two less in circulation, but I'll keep looking. Congrats. to both of you.

 

To all,
The 1936 was d&t for tang sights.The 1893 tang sight should fit.Marbles still makes a tang sight that is adjustable for height and windage part #009829.The early guns were not d&t for receiver sight unlike mine,which someone had done.I mounted a Lyman receiver sight on it.I can measre one of my 1893's and the 1936 to see and will post what I find.

 

The tang is drilled on mine, but no holes in the receiver. I think I am going to leave it as is cause it seems all original from what I can tell.

Seems to be a debate on date of manufacture though.

 

The tang is drilled on mine, but no holes in the receiver. I think I am going to leave it as is cause it seems all original from what I can tell.

Seems to be a debate on date of manufacture though.

From my understanding the 1936 model was color cased in 1936 and 1937 only.1936 yom had no prefix on serial number,1937 had B-prefix.1936 models were not D&T on the receiver from the factory,only on the tang.after 1937 the model 1936 was changed to 36 and all models were blued.
So,if your rifle is stamped 1936,B-prefix AND had case color it should be a 1937 production.Later 36,s had the receivers d&t.
I Measured the tang holes on my 1893's and 1936.They are both the same at 1.125 c-c.So an 1893 tang sight should fit.