Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions 1954 336C

A buddy of mine just picked up a used 336C in 35 Rem. He brought it over to show me and get some tips on cleaning and maintainance. He decided to try hunting for the first time (at 28) and this is the first rifle he has ever owned.

He told me "It seems to be in pretty good shape and I wanted a lever action because I remember my dad having one" well, when he got here, I was drooling.....The metal retains about 95% of the origional blueing, The walnut stock has been tastefully refinished with a hand-rubbed oil finish (as near as I can tell), It has a very old fixed 4 power scope in some crazy looking weaver mounts that I have never even seen before and even the sling swivels are like a relic....They are a piece of metal with a slot in it held on with 2 screws. The actual sling loop is pushed in and turned under spring pressure until it aligns and clicks.

I noticed that the serial number was on the bottom tang under the back of the lever which seemed odd to me. It has a "L" prefix to the serial number and when I looked it up it came back to 1954. Except for the stock refinish, this thing don't even look like it is 10 years old.

I asked him what it cost him.......He says "250 bucks" I offered him 400 on the spot but he won't sell. LOL

OK, after all of that, my questions are: Does anyone know how many .35's were produced in '54........And what do you think the rifle would actually be worth with the refinished stock but in otherwise near perfect condition with all the vintage parts?

Certainly more than 250. I'm by no means an expert, but I believe they weren't drilled and tapped for a scope back then, so that may take away from the value a little. Can you post pics? I also think that may be the first production year for the 336 in .35 rem.

I sold a 97% origional "Untapped" 1952 336sc model in 35rem a year ago for $420.00.

I felt the selling price was fair to me and the buyer was very tickled as he bought the rifle without posted pictures. He was as clean a 336sc model as I had ever seen.

Doc

About $375.00 to $400.00 around here.

I've got an "L" prefix 336RC in 30-30 Win I inherited from Dad and it IS factory drilled and tapped for scope mounts. I had a scope on it for awhile, but it just didn't seem to balance right.

By the way, grandson got his first whitetail with it several years ago, and it was capable of some really good groups at 100yds. with the scope!

I also have a 1954 336RC in 30-30 that I inherited from my dad, factory d&t and wearing an old Weaver. Shoots factory ammo very close to MOA. Need to take it out one of these years, maybe it will be my backup rifle in November.

Some authoritative information suggests that Marlin Models 336 were first D&T for top mount scopes in 1956. I pass this on with no solid information to contradict it. Certainly it was no later than this date, but possibly earlier. I know that my several rifles made in 1953 are non-tapped. I believe that if the older striated receiver top design is present (versus the smooth sandblasted top), there should be no original D&T present.

In any case, sometimes even a careful inspection can lead to false conclusions. Normally it is easy to spot non-original mount holes, but occasionally a quality aftermarket job may be indistinguishable from factory production work. Also, if the rifle has been refinished, the screw blanks will often match well enough to suggest D&T originality (regardless of whether the reblue appears original).
My take.