45-70, 22" bbl, excellent shape. Gold bead front sight with folding style rear sight. I picked this up thinking to cut the bbl down to 16.25" and case coloring the receiver.

After a brief internet search, I found somewhere that said the B0 prefix serial numbers indicated a more rare rifle. I gave just a shade north of $500 for it.

A date would be great and value even better. I am not sure if this should be altered. Ser # is: B0121xx

Not familiar enough with Marlins. Thank!!!

Jim

After some research, the bbl is not marked with Microgroove and there was info about a Douglas bbl being installed on around 800 of these.

Does this change things and how do I see if it is a Douglas bbl?

Thanks again.

Jim

Check over on marlinowners.com

Bet somebody can answer your questions fast.

Probably first year manufacture 1973 with ballard rifling. Very sought after collectible/shooter for cast lead bullets. If it's unmolested it's worth more than you paid for it.

Don,t know story other than picture and third hand talk.

What I do know is 2 ranges down 2 weeks ago , some one had a 1895 Marlin 45-70 let go on them. What I heard was factory ammo and fired out of battery. We found bullet on ground at end of the table. And fired case and case that let go. Heard shooter had to have hand surgery and lots of blood on ground.

Not sure why that story of unconfirmed/irrelevant information has anything to do with this thread?

Check the barrel for number of grooves. Twelve grooves is most common although not marked "Micro Groove". Either way I wouldn't modify it. There are plenty of post 83 push button safety pistol grip versions to chop. Or just buy a Guide Gun. My 2 cents.

Fascinating. Let us know something when one gets the rest of the story.

Interesting rifle, Jim.

It appears to be a first year rifle, I'll trade you for one of mine if you want to chop one!

Campfire link here.

Mine is BO111XX and is 12 groove. I'll bet yours is the same. I still would not chop it. Mike

BO is 1972

Yes, BO indicates DOM 1972
Not really a rare rifle but sought after because it is a pre-crossbolt safety. The quality was very good on those as well.
You got a fair deal on it, I've seen some go for a $100 more, and only a few for less.
My opinion is make it into what ever you like, but don't rely on getting the $ you put into the conversion back. You will always be able to get $500 back even if you cut it. Case coloring it will always get a higher price, so you will get some of that back if sold later, cutting the bbl down will decrease original value (which is more than what you paid, so you are good on your investment).

I would put a 26" octagon bbl on that puppy and go old school. I love the case coloring idea, I have yet to do that on any of my Marlins.

Congrats on a nice one.

That rifle fail looks like a reloader double loading the powder.

FYI Don't let anyone tell you that ballard shoots better than microgroove, it's a load of crap. Not even for cast bullets. I have more than a few Marlins in both, and cast all my own bullets.

I have a 1972 1895 in 45-70, it was a camp gun for an Alaskan guide. It's in great shape and a great shooter. The rifle on the left is also a 70's Marlin mod 94 in .357 cal. I'd leave your gun as is, you'll regret it later if you don't

i have one i got from a man who bought it when he was 14yrs old in 1974 sold it to me 2005 for 150 bucks cuzz it jamed he took it apart to clean it in the 80s an it never worked right again i messd with it an found the screw for the carrier was not tighend up enuff know its just fine

Marlin date code linky...........

sumthing about a '70's Marlin...in 357 or 44 mag..............or 45-70....

http://marlinspares.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Marlin-Date-codes-ver8-396mb2-1024x791.jpg

LH1............

fuggin' nice hardware.............

LH1 you have some awesome stuff 👍

I have tried and tried to be a Marlin fan but they make it so hard to be. I as well have a BO with a checkered stock of all things. Under a 10 power glass it appears to have original finish on the stock and that finish over the checkering. It is the only Marlin 336 derivative I wont part with. It shoots factory good enough and cycles cartridges far better than any 30-30 Marlin I ever had. The gun I bought was mint condition and within 2 boxes of slow factory ammo, the front sight fell off and the dovetail forend keeper was loose. I would not mess with any older gun just because. Every time someone glass beds, re-blues, recoil pads, ect an older gun, it makes my original more valuable.

Thank you. I've been a lever action fan most of my life, especially Marlins. I just got a new Limited Edition Mod 94 in 45 LC to go with my 100 year Century Limited .22

FWIW, Further research indicates that Marlin used the 1895 "BO" prefix during the latter part of 1972 and the first half or so of 1973. Not all data sources reflect this. I'd like to know the quantity of rifles or serial number range manufactured each year with that prefix.

Marlin created some confusing S/N's..........

but great products prior to 2009..............

No chit.

Good Stuff