Saw a decent example at a gun shop yesterday that was unmolested in 30-30. It was no safe queen, showed good honest wear with no abuse.

It was priced fairly and should have brought it home, but walked away for now.

I believe this would have Ballard rifling wouldn’t it.

I think so.

Micro groove barrels are stamped as such I believe also.

Did a Google search and yes, it appears the micro grooves didn’t start till the 50’s

I think it started 1952

You can try Marlinowners.com

A little google work and what i found was '53 for rimfires and '55 for the first centerfires. The full change over was '56.

Well the complete change over date can't be accurate because the first 444's in '64 were Ballard. As to the first 1895's when brought back, 1971ish with the alpha prefix (not date code) ser.#'s , were Ballard also.

Abraham Lincoln said, “You can’t trust everything you read on the internet!”

My waffle top 30-30 DOM is 1949. It is very accurate. It’s my favorite Marlin.

I have a 1948 sporting a side mounted Lyman receiver sight. My lad killed a nice buck last fall with it.

I have my Grand Pop's Waffle Top in .32 special. I remember Pop carrying it the first time him and Uncle Mike took me deer hunting. Nice gun and some great memories. Thanks

Just got a '51 ( H prefix waffle top) SC .30-30 today. Outstanding condition inside and out. Only trivial finish wear and nicks. Certainly not in keeping with her 72 years. She's aged VERY well.
And her rifling is 4 groove Ballard.
Good trigger and almost new stiff action. Can't wait to get her dirty!
And find an old steel receiver sight...