ScottyG59; That what I will do! Since the charts I have seen seem to be wrong, Marlin is the place to call. The serial number is stamped very clear- an 89 -then a skipped space then 120XXX Maybe the 89 is the DOM(1989) or if I subtract the first two numbers after the skipped space, (12) 100-12= 88 so it could be made in 1988. Subtracting the first two number from 100 is not right. I did read that some rifles for some reason, did not fit into the charts. My rifle, by the way does NOT have the "lawyer" safety and it has the good walnut stock like we expect from older Marlins. Thanks for your thoughts- all you guys are great!
Ken