Marlin Model 43 12-ga pump

Juan Hunt Greer · October 11, 2000, 12:43 AM

I have recently acquired said model 43 ser# 4xxx. last patent date feb 27 1915 in need of a LOT of cleaning and possibly some minor repair. Does anybody here have any information as to prints, parts breakdown, assembly order, etc.? It seems to be an interesting gun with ALLmachined and heat-ttreated parts. So far, I have opened it up for cleaning ( It has a removeable sideplate) and each time, I have trouble getting the sideplate back on. Something about the exact position of the bolt, I think. The barrel take-down of this piece is easy and fairly fast WITHOUT an interrupted thread. I'd really appreciate some help with this one, fellas. Thanx in advance,
crankshaft
paranoia, that feeling that they are out to get You when they actually are!

fal308 · October 12, 2000, 08:31 AM

As per the book Marlin Firearms; A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy USAR rtd
This shotgun was a new version of the old Model 28 shotgun. It had all teh features and specifications of the older hammerless guns, with the addition of a new bolt-opening device that had an action release button on the left bottom of the frame instead of on top of the receiver...
In addition to the Model 43A Standard Grade gun, the late 1922 catalog listed a model 43T Trap Grade gun, made to order only. It was not described. The 1923 catalog listed a Model 43T Standard Trap Grade 12-gauge shotgun and a Model 43TS Trap Special Grade 12-gauge shotgun.
The Model 43T was takedown and hammerless, with a 30- or 32-in. full-choke matted barrel, 6 shots, a straight grip buttstock and forearm of imported Circassian walnut, a dull London oil finish, fine hand checking, and a fitted recoil pad. Stock length was 14 inches with a 1 5/8-in. drop at comb and 2-in. drop at heel.
The Model 43TS shotgun was identicl to the Model 43T gun except that the stock could be furnished in either straight or pistol grip and in any length or drop of buttstock. Thsi model was made to order only.
From 1926 to 1929, extension slide handles for the Models 43T and 43TS could be furnished at an additional charge. Interchangeable barrel assemblies could be furnished for all Marlin takedown repeating shotguns.
The Model 43A, Model 43T, and Model 43TS were manufactured by both The Marlin Firearms Corporation (1922-1924) and The Marlin Firearms Company (1925-1930)...
Frames were serial-numbered and marked with the model number. Barrels were marked with the gauge, but may not be serial-numbered.
The barrel rollstamp should be of the latest type, which included the Marlin Firearms Corporation name and patent dates of May 19, 1908;November 23, 1909 (two patents);December 21, 1909;July 28, 1915;February 23, 1915; and patents pending. The stock should have the Marlin bull's-eye trademark.
The catalog list prices for this model were as follows:
Model 43A
1922 - $45.00 1923-25 - $48.00 1926-28 - $49.85 1929-30 - $49.80
Model 43T
1922 - $75.00 1923-25 - $75.00 1926-28 - $75.00 1929-30 - $75.00
Model 43TS
1922 - $100.00 1923-25 - $100.00 1926-28 - $100.00 1929-30 - $100.00
The lowest and highest serial numbers recorded or observed were 537 and 17,411 respectively.
The Model 43A shotgun was one of the guns given free during the 1930-1931 period upon the purchase of four $25.00 shares of Marlin preferred stock, payable in one sum or in monthly payments. The Model 43A was no longer available as a free gun upon introduction of the Model 63 shotgun in October 1931.

Sorry but I can't help with diagrams. Gun Parts doesn't show a schematic either.

Juan Hunt Greer · October 13, 2000, 12:45 AM

Thanx for the try, fal308, I already knew gunparts didn't have a diagram. Since posting, I think I have more or less doped out its general operation. I still have a lot of work to do to reverse wear effects on internal parts, but I guess that is where the real challenge lies. That, I guess is what distinguishes hobby gunsmithing from the professional variety. By the time I get done I will probably have $500 to $1000 worth of my own labor in a machine which will by then be worth $250!
crankshaft
paranoia- the only sane policy when they really are out to get You!

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October 11, 2000, 12:43 AM	#1
Juan Hunt Greer Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Posts: 449	I have recently acquired said model 43 ser# 4xxx. last patent date feb 27 1915 in need of a LOT of cleaning and possibly some minor repair. Does anybody here have any information as to prints, parts breakdown, assembly order, etc.? It seems to be an interesting gun with ALLmachined and heat-ttreated parts. So far, I have opened it up for cleaning ( It has a removeable sideplate) and each time, I have trouble getting the sideplate back on. Something about the exact position of the bolt, I think. The barrel take-down of this piece is easy and fairly fast WITHOUT an interrupted thread. I'd really appreciate some help with this one, fellas. Thanx in advance, crankshaft paranoia, that feeling that they are out to get You when they actually are!

October 12, 2000, 08:31 AM	#2
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	As per the book Marlin Firearms; A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy USAR rtd This shotgun was a new version of the old Model 28 shotgun. It had all teh features and specifications of the older hammerless guns, with the addition of a new bolt-opening device that had an action release button on the left bottom of the frame instead of on top of the receiver... In addition to the Model 43A Standard Grade gun, the late 1922 catalog listed a model 43T Trap Grade gun, made to order only. It was not described. The 1923 catalog listed a Model 43T Standard Trap Grade 12-gauge shotgun and a Model 43TS Trap Special Grade 12-gauge shotgun. The Model 43T was takedown and hammerless, with a 30- or 32-in. full-choke matted barrel, 6 shots, a straight grip buttstock and forearm of imported Circassian walnut, a dull London oil finish, fine hand checking, and a fitted recoil pad. Stock length was 14 inches with a 1 5/8-in. drop at comb and 2-in. drop at heel. The Model 43TS shotgun was identicl to the Model 43T gun except that the stock could be furnished in either straight or pistol grip and in any length or drop of buttstock. Thsi model was made to order only. From 1926 to 1929, extension slide handles for the Models 43T and 43TS could be furnished at an additional charge. Interchangeable barrel assemblies could be furnished for all Marlin takedown repeating shotguns. The Model 43A, Model 43T, and Model 43TS were manufactured by both The Marlin Firearms Corporation (1922-1924) and The Marlin Firearms Company (1925-1930)... Frames were serial-numbered and marked with the model number. Barrels were marked with the gauge, but may not be serial-numbered. The barrel rollstamp should be of the latest type, which included the Marlin Firearms Corporation name and patent dates of May 19, 1908;November 23, 1909 (two patents);December 21, 1909;July 28, 1915;February 23, 1915; and patents pending. The stock should have the Marlin bull's-eye trademark. The catalog list prices for this model were as follows: Model 43A 1922 - $45.00 1923-25 - $48.00 1926-28 - $49.85 1929-30 - $49.80 Model 43T 1922 - $75.00 1923-25 - $75.00 1926-28 - $75.00 1929-30 - $75.00 Model 43TS 1922 - $100.00 1923-25 - $100.00 1926-28 - $100.00 1929-30 - $100.00 The lowest and highest serial numbers recorded or observed were 537 and 17,411 respectively. The Model 43A shotgun was one of the guns given free during the 1930-1931 period upon the purchase of four $25.00 shares of Marlin preferred stock, payable in one sum or in monthly payments. The Model 43A was no longer available as a free gun upon introduction of the Model 63 shotgun in October 1931. Sorry but I can't help with diagrams. Gun Parts doesn't show a schematic either.

October 13, 2000, 12:45 AM	#3
Juan Hunt Greer Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Posts: 449	Thanx for the try, fal308, I already knew gunparts didn't have a diagram. Since posting, I think I have more or less doped out its general operation. I still have a lot of work to do to reverse wear effects on internal parts, but I guess that is where the real challenge lies. That, I guess is what distinguishes hobby gunsmithing from the professional variety. By the time I get done I will probably have $500 to $1000 worth of my own labor in a machine which will by then be worth $250! crankshaft paranoia- the only sane policy when they really are out to get You!