Marlin model 42 shotgun...

Desert Dog · March 23, 2001, 01:32 PM

I can't seem to find an exploded parts diagram or disassembly procedure for this weapon. It is of a similar design to a Winchester 1897, but I have never seen a Marlin 42 before. Anyone?

George Stringer · March 24, 2001, 09:50 AM

DD, the only place I can think of is Marlin Firearms by William Brophy and it doesn't tell you much. I have a Model 49 that I have been restoring for 5 years. I've never found an exploded view or any assembly instructions for it either. The book will help but not $75 worth and that's what it cost me when I got it a few years ago. Marlin will be of no help at all. The book does have a few mechanical drawings that will help you but no real detail. George

Desert Dog · March 25, 2001, 09:46 AM

I took the plunge and disassembled it last night. I was expecting horror like when I took a 1890 Winchester apart too far one time

, but it went very well. Unfortunately a lot more of the finish is gone from the metal than I originally thought. By just wiping it down with Sheath, most of the surface rust has been removed... along with a lot of thin blue. No significant dark rust anywhere.

The action seems tight, headspace from what I can tell is still very decent. It has a 2 3/4" chamber and the barrel is immaculate and shiny. The gun was made in 1909. (I found a date stamp on one of the interior parts)

George, do you think it can handle modern, normal bird shot loads? Of course the first time I shoot it, will be remotely...

I think it would make a decent Cowboy Shooting pump shotgun because when I first saw it I thought it was a Winchester 1897...

Thanks again George.

banjobart · March 26, 2001, 10:56 AM

One of our Internet Marlin experts says that the Model 42 was made from 1922-1933, the last of a series of Marlin pumps. That is patent date on that internal part, my 42 has it, too. Marlin warns people not to shoot their hammered pump shotguns.

Make sure that the secondary sear is working. It should hold the hammer back while cycling the bolt. If a shell is fired without the bolt being locked up you will need a surgeon. The secondary sear spring easily rusts out and can be replaced with a .020" x .125" x .625" piece of spring steel or coping saw blade.

Desert Dog · March 26, 2001, 04:16 PM

Parts on the inside of this 42 were date stamped May, 1909.

The secondary sear seems to be working... It is weird though that it has a release for the slide below and to the right of the trigger, and then another "button" on the side of the receiver on the left front that ALSO releases the slide. The gun is tight, it was just filthy. The bore is still shiny. It has some marks on the ejection port like someone was trying to pry it open.

Biker52 · March 19, 2011, 11:45 AM

This message is to Dessert dog. I own a Marlin Mod# 42. What can you tell me about it. What is it worth?

Goatwhiskers · March 19, 2011, 05:22 PM

No personal knowledge, but you might want to check chamber depth. Back in the day a lot of stuff wasn't standardized and a number of guns are out there chambered for less than 2 3/4" shells. Just sayin'. Goatwhiskers

March 23, 2001, 01:32 PM	#1
Desert Dog Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 1999 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 474	I can't seem to find an exploded parts diagram or disassembly procedure for this weapon. It is of a similar design to a Winchester 1897, but I have never seen a Marlin 42 before. Anyone? __________________ Yes, in fact I do have a 454... in more ways than one. "No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson

March 25, 2001, 09:46 AM	#3
Desert Dog Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 1999 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 474	Thanks George I took the plunge and disassembled it last night. I was expecting horror like when I took a 1890 Winchester apart too far one time , but it went very well. Unfortunately a lot more of the finish is gone from the metal than I originally thought. By just wiping it down with Sheath, most of the surface rust has been removed... along with a lot of thin blue. No significant dark rust anywhere. The action seems tight, headspace from what I can tell is still very decent. It has a 2 3/4" chamber and the barrel is immaculate and shiny. The gun was made in 1909. (I found a date stamp on one of the interior parts) George, do you think it can handle modern, normal bird shot loads? Of course the first time I shoot it, will be remotely... I think it would make a decent Cowboy Shooting pump shotgun because when I first saw it I thought it was a Winchester 1897... Thanks again George. __________________ Yes, in fact I do have a 454... in more ways than one. "No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson

March 26, 2001, 04:16 PM	#5
Desert Dog Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 1999 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 474	Parts on the inside of this 42 were date stamped May, 1909. The secondary sear seems to be working... It is weird though that it has a release for the slide below and to the right of the trigger, and then another "button" on the side of the receiver on the left front that ALSO releases the slide. The gun is tight, it was just filthy. The bore is still shiny. It has some marks on the ejection port like someone was trying to pry it open. __________________ Yes, in fact I do have a 454... in more ways than one. "No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson

March 19, 2011, 11:45 AM	#6
Biker52 Junior Member Join Date: March 19, 2011 Location: Monroville Pa. Posts: 1	Marlin Mod.# 42 This message is to Dessert dog. I own a Marlin Mod# 42. What can you tell me about it. What is it worth?

March 24, 2001, 09:50 AM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	DD, the only place I can think of is Marlin Firearms by William Brophy and it doesn't tell you much. I have a Model 49 that I have been restoring for 5 years. I've never found an exploded view or any assembly instructions for it either. The book will help but not $75 worth and that's what it cost me when I got it a few years ago. Marlin will be of no help at all. The book does have a few mechanical drawings that will help you but no real detail. George

March 26, 2001, 10:56 AM	#4
banjobart Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 188	One of our Internet Marlin experts says that the Model 42 was made from 1922-1933, the last of a series of Marlin pumps. That is patent date on that internal part, my 42 has it, too. Marlin warns people not to shoot their hammered pump shotguns. Make sure that the secondary sear is working. It should hold the hammer back while cycling the bolt. If a shell is fired without the bolt being locked up you will need a surgeon. The secondary sear spring easily rusts out and can be replaced with a .020" x .125" x .625" piece of spring steel or coping saw blade.

March 19, 2011, 05:22 PM	#7
Goatwhiskers Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2009 Location: Batchelor, La. Posts: 579	No personal knowledge, but you might want to check chamber depth. Back in the day a lot of stuff wasn't standardized and a number of guns are out there chambered for less than 2 3/4" shells. Just sayin'. Goatwhiskers