The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - value or age of Marlin 30-30 lever action.

jmr40 · November 30, 2008, 10:42 PM

I replied to your origional post in the rifle section. The codes used on the www.armscollectors.com website do show a serial number starting with 07 as being made in 1884. As others have said this is not possible in a 30-30. Without more information it is hard to say for sure, but your rifle may have been made in 1993.

The armscollectors website does not show anything after 1990 but Marlin has used a simple code to date "Most" rifles made since 1969. Simply subtract the first 2 numbers of the SN from 100 to get the date of manufacture. In your case 100-07=93. For guns made after 2000 the same code applies. For example a gun starting with 98 would have been made in 02.

This code does not apply to all guns because some limited runs had a different SN code. I have one of the 500 stainless guide guns in 35 Rem that was made in 2005 that has the SN of 336SS3XX. Marlin made a few modern guns that were reproductions of the old guns that had a finish that looked like case hardening a few years ago. You may have one of these.

More information, or a picture could help.

November 30, 2008, 10:42 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	I replied to your origional post in the rifle section. The codes used on the www.armscollectors.com website do show a serial number starting with 07 as being made in 1884. As others have said this is not possible in a 30-30. Without more information it is hard to say for sure, but your rifle may have been made in 1993. The armscollectors website does not show anything after 1990 but Marlin has used a simple code to date "Most" rifles made since 1969. Simply subtract the first 2 numbers of the SN from 100 to get the date of manufacture. In your case 100-07=93. For guns made after 2000 the same code applies. For example a gun starting with 98 would have been made in 02. This code does not apply to all guns because some limited runs had a different SN code. I have one of the 500 stainless guide guns in 35 Rem that was made in 2005 that has the SN of 336SS3XX. Marlin made a few modern guns that were reproductions of the old guns that had a finish that looked like case hardening a few years ago. You may have one of these. More information, or a picture could help.