Not sure if this counts as "Cowboy"

BerdanSS · November 3, 2013, 07:44 PM

I picked up a Straight stocked, octagon barreled Marlin "safety" 1897 today at the last croy creek traders fair for the season. Outside has 90% even brown patina on it, stock and forearm are pretty good and crack free, bore is dark but crisp. The ol guy selling it has pretty much the same table of TIRED old stock all year (at VERY high prices), this popped out at me as I went to pass over his booth without looking.

He SWORE up and down that it was a Winchester, even after I pointed out it was clearly marked MARLIN on the top. After some talk (lots of bickering from him) he said "Aw Hell son, give me $250 and take it"

Seems in perfect working order, we'll find out on the next rain day

Pictures inbound as soon as I get home........

Hawg · November 3, 2013, 08:32 PM

Cool Beans! You got a steal of a deal.

BerdanSS · November 4, 2013, 04:14 PM

As promised:

Just noticed there is a small chip in the stock, left side. right by the hammer

BerdanSS · November 4, 2013, 04:18 PM

now I'll admit I know literally nothing about this particular model.

Any idea of value? (no, I'm not selling it...I've always wanted a lever action 22 and this is my first one. I love classics, it has a home till I die

)

What are these chambered for? Short or LR? (I have bokoo of both

)

EDIT> according to an on line S# guide, the rifle was made in 1903

bedbugbilly · November 4, 2013, 04:24 PM

Oh, man . . . you got "took"!

Great looking rifle! I'd have snapped that up in a heartbeat - I've never owned a Marlin but if I'd have seen that one, it would have been my first! Congrats on your find . . . you got a great Winchester there . er . . . I mean Marlin!

Hawg · November 4, 2013, 06:38 PM

I would say a minimum of 500. It should be chambered for S,L,and LR but it should be marked so.

BerdanSS · November 5, 2013, 11:25 PM

Thanks fellas, well 100% sure there are no markings anywhere telling the chambering. Under the barrel, magazine tube, forearm...natta. Buddy that owns a local gun shop seems to think these were chambered for .22 long and/or short only. It will not cycle. 22LR

BirchOrr · November 6, 2013, 05:56 PM

... you got a great rifle & a great deal!!!

Also sounds like the guy who sold it wanted to sell SOMETHING to pay for his trip/booth whatever. Outstanding!

So many things in life are all about "the right place at the right time".

Congrats, sweet rifle!

Birch

Hawg · November 6, 2013, 06:36 PM

After doing some looking it was only the later ones that were marked but it should still take all three. I looked on several auctions and they were all listed as .22 LR

November 3, 2013, 07:44 PM	#1
BerdanSS Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Location: to close to other houses Posts: 1,176	Not sure if this counts as "Cowboy" (now with PICTURES :) I picked up a Straight stocked, octagon barreled Marlin "safety" 1897 today at the last croy creek traders fair for the season. Outside has 90% even brown patina on it, stock and forearm are pretty good and crack free, bore is dark but crisp. The ol guy selling it has pretty much the same table of TIRED old stock all year (at VERY high prices), this popped out at me as I went to pass over his booth without looking. He SWORE up and down that it was a Winchester, even after I pointed out it was clearly marked MARLIN on the top. After some talk (lots of bickering from him) he said "Aw Hell son, give me $250 and take it" Seems in perfect working order, we'll find out on the next rain day Pictures inbound as soon as I get home........ __________________ One day, Men in tall hats will thump their chests and proclaim..."oh, what a great sea of mud we lived in"--The unalterable fate of billy creek .... "Smoke.....it's what's for dinner" Last edited by BerdanSS; November 4, 2013 at 04:15 PM.

November 4, 2013, 04:14 PM	#3
BerdanSS Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Location: to close to other houses Posts: 1,176	As promised: Just noticed there is a small chip in the stock, left side. right by the hammer __________________ One day, Men in tall hats will thump their chests and proclaim..."oh, what a great sea of mud we lived in"--The unalterable fate of billy creek .... "Smoke.....it's what's for dinner"

November 4, 2013, 04:18 PM	#4
BerdanSS Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Location: to close to other houses Posts: 1,176	now I'll admit I know literally nothing about this particular model. Any idea of value? (no, I'm not selling it...I've always wanted a lever action 22 and this is my first one. I love classics, it has a home till I die ) What are these chambered for? Short or LR? (I have bokoo of both) EDIT> according to an on line S# guide, the rifle was made in 1903 __________________ One day, Men in tall hats will thump their chests and proclaim..."oh, what a great sea of mud we lived in"--The unalterable fate of billy creek .... "Smoke.....it's what's for dinner" Last edited by BerdanSS; November 4, 2013 at 04:31 PM.

November 4, 2013, 04:24 PM	#5
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Oh, man . . . you got "took"! Great looking rifle! I'd have snapped that up in a heartbeat - I've never owned a Marlin but if I'd have seen that one, it would have been my first! Congrats on your find . . . you got a great Winchester there . er . . . I mean Marlin! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

November 5, 2013, 11:25 PM	#7
BerdanSS Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Location: to close to other houses Posts: 1,176	Thanks fellas, well 100% sure there are no markings anywhere telling the chambering. Under the barrel, magazine tube, forearm...natta. Buddy that owns a local gun shop seems to think these were chambered for .22 long and/or short only. It will not cycle. 22LR __________________ One day, Men in tall hats will thump their chests and proclaim..."oh, what a great sea of mud we lived in"--The unalterable fate of billy creek .... "Smoke.....it's what's for dinner"

November 3, 2013, 08:32 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Cool Beans! You got a steal of a deal.

November 4, 2013, 06:38 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I would say a minimum of 500. It should be chambered for S,L,and LR but it should be marked so.

November 6, 2013, 05:56 PM	#8
BirchOrr Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Eaton Rapids, MI Posts: 445	Sounds to me... ... you got a great rifle & a great deal!!! Also sounds like the guy who sold it wanted to sell SOMETHING to pay for his trip/booth whatever. Outstanding! So many things in life are all about "the right place at the right time". Congrats, sweet rifle! Birch __________________ Black Powder: Not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...

November 6, 2013, 06:36 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	After doing some looking it was only the later ones that were marked but it should still take all three. I looked on several auctions and they were all listed as .22 LR

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search