Good Find

38specialman · November 3, 2008, 07:05 PM

Came up on a good deal or so I think, on a shotgun. Found a Marlin model 19 pump 12 ga. From what I have found out, it was only made 2 years. 1906-1907. It has an external hammer like a Win. 97. The barrel is 30 in. but I don't know what the choke is. Does anyone know anything about them.

hillbille · November 4, 2008, 06:34 PM

pretty sure they are the same as the model 17 think it was, all copies of the 97 winchester, most say they are not safe to shoot as the trigger assembly is weak and the whole assembly can fly back in your face from recoil. you will need to get it checked out by a proffesional if you do intend to shoot it. also would advise you use light loads in it. value is usually half or less of same quality winchester, at least around here.

Dave McC · November 5, 2008, 08:37 AM

Do NOT shoot this.

Made for Black Powder pressures, these do not work for long with modern loads.

Shotguns and Grenades have similar working pressures.

Consider it a shotgun shaped artifact and move on....

Joat · November 6, 2008, 12:14 PM

When I was shooting cowboy action, we called the old Marlins by the old designation: "widowmakers". They will not stand up to modern loads. There are cases where the whole bolt assembly has left the rear of the receiver striking the shooter in the face.
There is a good information page found here that has a letter from Marlin on it advising people not to shoot this (and several other) model(s).

Makes a nice fireplace decoration but that is all it should be used for (in my opinion, of course)

Joat

November 3, 2008, 07:05 PM	#1
38specialman Member Join Date: October 23, 2008 Location: berea,Ky Posts: 24	Good Find Came up on a good deal or so I think, on a shotgun. Found a Marlin model 19 pump 12 ga. From what I have found out, it was only made 2 years. 1906-1907. It has an external hammer like a Win. 97. The barrel is 30 in. but I don't know what the choke is. Does anyone know anything about them. __________________ "They had a lot a guns mister, and they were shoot'n bullets," Charlie Prince, 3:10 to Yuma AIM.......BREATH.........SQUEEZE.......REPEAT

November 6, 2008, 12:14 PM	#4
Joat Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2008 Location: Dayton, TX Posts: 383	When I was shooting cowboy action, we called the old Marlins by the old designation: "widowmakers". They will not stand up to modern loads. There are cases where the whole bolt assembly has left the rear of the receiver striking the shooter in the face. There is a good information page found here that has a letter from Marlin on it advising people not to shoot this (and several other) model(s). Makes a nice fireplace decoration but that is all it should be used for (in my opinion, of course) Joat __________________ All things being equal, fat people use more soap. (I know I am one.) High speed, low drag does not even come close to describing ME.

November 4, 2008, 06:34 PM	#2
hillbille Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2008 Location: west virginia born 1/19/1961 Posts: 222	pretty sure they are the same as the model 17 think it was, all copies of the 97 winchester, most say they are not safe to shoot as the trigger assembly is weak and the whole assembly can fly back in your face from recoil. you will need to get it checked out by a proffesional if you do intend to shoot it. also would advise you use light loads in it. value is usually half or less of same quality winchester, at least around here.

November 5, 2008, 08:37 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Do NOT shoot this. Made for Black Powder pressures, these do not work for long with modern loads. Shotguns and Grenades have similar working pressures. Consider it a shotgun shaped artifact and move on....