Back about 20 years ago, got to look at a relatives gun collection... He had a lever action rifle, old as the hills but in great shape, and it has since haunted my thoughts. He is deceased now, one of his kids got the rifle, and I have no way of contacting them.
Anyhow, as I recall it was a Marlin with octagonal barrel, and I remember specifically it was marked "30 WCF" What model/age range do you think this was?
Ok, thanks. That'll give me something to start searching with. I looked some at just "marlin lever actions" but got tired of wading through all the more modern guns for sale.
I remember it had the old style, full buckhorn rear sight, but can't remember to save my life the magazine length. Don't know if if it was full length or not. Sucks getting old and forgetful!
Umm, I don't know. The one he had was in much, much finer shape for sure. curious about the "30WCF" though, looks like the one in link is marked 30-30? The same thing, right? but was thinking being marked WCF might narrow the date down.
what year did they change the caliber marking? I would think 30 WCF would precede 30-30, but then again I know nothing about these. Wanting to learn something...
30WCF designation preceded .30-30. It could also have been a 336. Mine is a late one, from 1971, so is marked .30-30. It came w/ the factory 1.5-5X40 scope in tip-off mounts.
"There's more to optics than meets the eye."--anon
"...most of us would be better off losing half a pound around the waist than half a pound on our rifle."--dhg
Are you sure it was not mark 38WCF. (38-40) Then it could have been a Model 94
Yes Sir, I have finally begun to admit that my memory sometimes plays tricks on me In fact, I asked my Dad what he remembered about it, he saw it at the same time, and he thought it was a 32 or 33, not 30.
I do know it was a side eject that favored the 93, not modern 336. I have "toe up" the innerwebs looking at antique Marlins, finally decided that whatever it was, it is lost to history.
I think the differnce would be the length of the action, 30-30 vs a 44-40 or so.I think one is about 3/4 " longer. I'm no afficionado though on the subject.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
It could have been 32 WCF which would have been 32-20. That would have been an 1894 original model. Same action as the 93 but shorter and basically the same as the modern 1894. They also had an 1889 model. Here is a pic of an excellent condition 1889 32-20