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?

Maybe a Marlin 1893?

Like this one?
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=274151300

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.

Yes they are the same thing 30wcf = 30-30

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/3030history.htm

30 wcf same as 30-30

IF I saw what I think I saw - and I mean if -

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...

Call Marlin, I would think they could tell you if they ever used the "WCF".

Are you sure it was not mark 38WCF. (38-40) Then it could have been a Model 94

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.

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.

if it was a 33 it could have been marked 33-CF not 33 WCF.
If so it was most probably an original Marlin 1895 which was basically an 1893 on steroids.

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.

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