Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions Question for the Gallery

I have an old 1948 waffle top, perch belly marlin 336 in .30-30. It is in decent shape except for the idiots that it has been in contact with in the past. One previous owner tried to drill into the side of the action (I assume to mount a scope) and made it part way and stopped. Then, I gave it to my son a while back who loves lever actions, and he scratched the finish off the side of the butt stock in the shape of his initials. I do not think the wood is damaged badly, but the finish is gone.

I have it back now. Is there any value in trying to repair it and making it nice. I like the look and feel and I think I would enjoy it if it were reblued, the stock redone and maybe get that drill mark fixed. In regards to value, is there a way to make improvements that would help the value or once the stock is refinished etc, is the value in the toilet?

It has a lot of carry miles, but its not severly marked, chipped up bad or cracked / broken stock etc.

There're smiths that can fill the holes, which I'd want to have done. Then the rifle should be blued correctly. I'd ask the guys in the gunsmith forum if any would tackle the job and get an estimate. Otherwise just sell it to me cheap.

It’s certainly worth making nice for your own enjoyment. If it were mine, I’d fill that hole with some epoxy colored more or less to match and refinish the stock, then hunt and shoot with it.