How old is it?

[svg4]

A friend just gave me an old Marlin lever action. I ran the serial number through Marlin website and it didn't seem to recognize it. It is 20357. It has 38 56 on top of the octagon barrel. The pat. dates start at Feb.7 63 and end with what looks like Nov 6 HC Re-Issue Nov 6 1880 (or 1860). Any ideas? I would put a picture in but the wife has it out of town to take pictures of the new grandson.

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[no time]

There was a cartridge called 38-56 WCF. Marlin chambered their Model 1895 lever action in it. You might try a site such as Gunbroker and see if the photos of one of those models looks like yours. Post a picture when you get a chance, it's always fun to try and figure out what people have turned up.

 

[Sawdust]

According to my copy of Fjestad's "Blue Book", Marlin Serial numbers in the range of 17800 - 21500 were manufactured in 1888.

Congrat's, it's an oldie but a goodie.