My father-in-law gave me this Marlin 336 RC. Serial No. reads 49,xxx (5 digits). Can you guys please help me find the manufacturing year on this rifle?
Thank you.
God Bless..

Any advice on how to know the age of this rifle?
God Bless...

Is there a "letter" before the serial number?

L.W.

There is 'no' letter before it. Just the five digit serial number. Additionally, I had to take the stock off to find the serial no.
Thanks

Where was the serial number stamped such that you had to remove the stock to see it?

It is on the upper arm on the back of the receiver.

Do you mean on the upper tang? Some pictures would be helpful. One thing you can check is what the barrel markings say where it indicates the cartridge it is chambered for, does it say Micro-groove rifling? Marlin started using micro-groove in 1956, so that would tell you if it is newer or older than that. However, with no letter code/prefix to the S/N, that means the gun is newer than 1968. You might also just call Marlin.

Yes! upper tang. Thanks for correction Gringo. I will post pics soon.

adeel, I have a copy of a book called The 336: A Collectors Reference On The Model 336 Marlin by Doug Murray published in 1983. According to it Marlin began using a letter prefix for serial numbers starting in 1947 and ended that practice in 1968. From 1969 to 1972 marlin used the last two digits of the year for the first two digits of the serial number. Example, serial number 69XXXXX for the year 1969, etc.

Starting in 1973, they changed again to subtracting the two digit year from 100. Example: 100 - 73 = 27. So for 1973 a serial number might be 27XXXXX. They continued this until 1983 which is when this book was published. My information stops there. However, I think it is likely that Marlin would have continued this practice until 1999 or 2000. After the change of the century, it would seem likely they would have to start a new serial number prefix or nomenclature to move forward.

So your serial number of 49,XXX would seem to be a rifle made after 2000 or newer because it obviously wasn't made in 100-49 => 1951, else it would have the letter prefix of "H" to the serial number. If my reasoning is correct, I would think Marlin would easily be able to identify the year of manufacture for you with a simple call since your gun is likely not that old. Where it typically gets dicey is for really old guns because records either weren't specific enough back then or were lost over time. But that is for rifles made way back around 1920 or so like my Marlin Model 39 was. It was definitely made in the 20's, but Marlin couldn't pinpoint a specific year for it.

My Marlin 336RC ser.#S46xx was made in 1959.Dont know if that helps,I think if you go to Marlin owners blog you might find some better info.

Thanks guys for all the info. Gringo, I am going to post pics in a day or two. The rife is old. It was given to my father-in-law about 30 years ago. There is old Lyman pin hole aperture rear sight.
Please keep the info coming, I will try to call marlin regarding it.

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According to that serial number your rifle was made in 1947.

That sounds more like it. Adding pics - if that helps

adeel, that carbine is definitely old. Looks like it was made in the 40's. Love that Lyman sight. Your rifle might be a model 36 instead of a 336. The 336 was introduced in 1948. The model 336 was preceded by the model 36 and prior to that, the model 1936. The model 1936 was both introduced and discontinued in 1936. The model 36 was introduced in 1937 and discontinued in 1947/48. You never did say what the barrel markings indicate.

The model 36 started out with case color hardened receivers and levers, but during 1947 some were blued instead and in 1948, all actions and levers were blued.

really good info Gringo, thank you


now I know what year my latest Marlin was made


it's a crying shame how wood to metal finish has deteriorated over the years.

adeel's pictured rifle is a 336 (round bolt). It was not made until sometime, 1948 or later. Look under the lever on the trigger plate for a serial #.

Jack