I am new to the Marlin ever action rifles. Came across one this afternoon that seemed like a good deal. Its the 1895SS in 45-70. It has the JM stamp and by serial number appears to have a 1990 manufacture date. I guess its the 22 inch barrel with the half magazine.

It appears to have had the forend replaced as it isn't checkered like the butt stock, but I like it.
Should I get a checkered forend and replace so its more original?

Is there a good site to check current values?

Anything I should know about this rifle in general? Best ammo? Need a sling?

Thanks for the info. I am excited to learn more and shoot it!

I don't believe there was a stainless version till 2000.

Does it have Micro Grove rifling or traditional riffling??

1895SS is not stainless steel. It's the 22" barreled version, basically the standard model.

They wouldn't have been checkered in 1990. Sounds like the buttstock not the forend was replaced.

Thank everyone. I have read the SS model is actually the "sporter" model with a new name.

I wondered about the butt stock being changed and not the forearm. Is there someplace that I can get a 1990 style butt stock?

It also has the microgrooves.

ss stands for "sporter safety"

https://imgur.com/a/uWpEASR

This is the rifle. If I want to make it original I guess I need to get a plain buttstock. Any idea where my best option would be?

that actually looks like original buttstock and somebody sanded off the checkering on the forend. some guys do that because they say it bothers their hand.

as for ammo, in my 1895g, every factory load i have tried shoots cloverleaf groups. for deer, the hornady 325 leverevolution is very effective. i have also shot deer with the 400 grain flat nose and the 300 grain hollowpoint. the flat nose is like a battering ram, goes right through with very little expansion or meat loss. the hp usually mushrooms nicely and will sometimes stay inside. the LE blasts good sized holes through and through. i recovered a flat nose 400 that went all the way through a deers shoulder and into the ground about 18 inches. it was hardly deformed at all. i recommend the hornady.