MJ STAMPED Marlin Original Golden 39A

Pahoo · December 27, 2020, 04:05 PM

A friend of mine has offered me an older Marlin 39a, in addition to the usual information, on the barrel, it is stamped with the letters MJ.
Just curious and can anyone tell me what this MJ designation means. I am not a collector but I am drawn to these "Vintage" Lever-actions. ....

I truly thank you and;
Be Safe !!!

mikejonestkd · December 27, 2020, 04:45 PM

A marlin 39 with the MJ stamp denotes that it is my rifle, as those are my initials. I'll PM you so you can mail it to my FFL!!

I believe you need to double check, it is most likely a JM stamp - older marlins were stamped with JM by the factory, as an homage to john Marlin, newer ones do not have it.

51cskipper · December 27, 2020, 04:51 PM

Quote:

newer ones do not have it.

They're called Remlins

FrankenMauser · December 27, 2020, 05:19 PM

If it is stamped, "JM" it just means it met quality standards when inspected by Marlin. It's like a proof mark. Except Marlin didn't actually proof them. They just inspected and test fired.

If it is stamped, "MJ" it has been messed with by someone and should not be trusted. The "JM" inspector's stamps were one piece. It was not possible to transpose the letters. This would, more than likely, be a Remington-built Marlin that has a badly forged inspector's stamp; or a rifle with a gunsmith-replaced barrel and badly forged inspector's stamp.

I'm sure it was just a transposition mistake on *your* part. (We all make mistakes.)
But if it isn't, please do post photos.

Pahoo · December 27, 2020, 07:37 PM

PHP Code:


			
If it is stamped, "JM" it just means it met quality standards when inspected by Marlin. It's like a proof mark. Except Marlin didn't actually proof them. They just inspected and test fired.

I rechecked and stand corrected. The stamp is; "JM" and thank you for the step-up, on the "learning-Curve" ......

Be Safe !!!

mikejonestkd · December 27, 2020, 07:47 PM

Pahoo, Please ship it to me, just in case and I'll double check it for you.

FrankenMauser · December 28, 2020, 12:45 PM

Shorter explanation of JM:
It just means it isn't a Remington, and hasn't had the barrel replaced.

For dating:
Check the serial number for production year. Letter prefix, or the first two digits.
Letters mean pre-69. (Look it up for exact year.)
69-72 is the actual year.
The rest are dated by subtracting the first two digits from 100.

I.e.:
21XXXXXX would be 100-21= 1979
98XXXXXX would be 100-98= 2002
Etc.

December 27, 2020, 04:05 PM	#1
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	MJ STAMPED Marlin Original Golden 39A A friend of mine has offered me an older Marlin 39a, in addition to the usual information, on the barrel, it is stamped with the letters MJ. Just curious and can anyone tell me what this MJ designation means. I am not a collector but I am drawn to these "Vintage" Lever-actions. .... I truly thank you and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

December 27, 2020, 04:45 PM	#2
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	A marlin 39 with the MJ stamp denotes that it is my rifle, as those are my initials. I'll PM you so you can mail it to my FFL!! I believe you need to double check, it is most likely a JM stamp - older marlins were stamped with JM by the factory, as an homage to john Marlin, newer ones do not have it. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

December 27, 2020, 05:19 PM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	If it is stamped, "JM" it just means it met quality standards when inspected by Marlin. It's like a proof mark. Except Marlin didn't actually proof them. They just inspected and test fired. If it is stamped, "MJ" it has been messed with by someone and should not be trusted. The "JM" inspector's stamps were one piece. It was not possible to transpose the letters. This would, more than likely, be a Remington-built Marlin that has a badly forged inspector's stamp; or a rifle with a gunsmith-replaced barrel and badly forged inspector's stamp. I'm sure it was just a transposition mistake on your part. (We all make mistakes.) But if it isn't, please do post photos. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

December 27, 2020, 07:37 PM	#5
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	I thank you !!! PHP Code: `If it is stamped, "JM" it just means it met quality standards when inspected by Marlin. It's like a proof mark. Except Marlin didn't actually proof them. They just inspected and test fired.` I rechecked and stand corrected. The stamp is; "JM" and thank you for the step-up, on the "learning-Curve" ...... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

December 27, 2020, 07:47 PM	#6
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	Pahoo, Please ship it to me, just in case and I'll double check it for you. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

December 28, 2020, 12:45 PM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Shorter explanation of JM: It just means it isn't a Remington, and hasn't had the barrel replaced. For dating: Check the serial number for production year. Letter prefix, or the first two digits. Letters mean pre-69. (Look it up for exact year.) 69-72 is the actual year. The rest are dated by subtracting the first two digits from 100. I.e.: 21XXXXXX would be 100-21= 1979 98XXXXXX would be 100-98= 2002 Etc. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.