Marlin Firearms Model 444S .444 Marlin 22″ Lever Action Hunting Rifle, 1979
SOLD FOR: $1,500.00‘
LSB#: LSB251202KM031
Make: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: 444S
Serial Number: 21082371
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Caliber: .444 Marlin
Action Type: Lever Action, fed by Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked with Marlin’s New Haven address, along with “MODEL 444S MICRO-GROOVE BARREL CAL. 444 MARLIN”, and a “JM” stamp just forward of the receiver. The top tang is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded beaded blade, dovetailed to a serrated ramp, screwed to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding semi-buckhorn U-notch sight, on a riser, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is mounted with an adjustable Williams aperture peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece smooth walnut stock set, with a capped semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, rubber Pachmayr buttpad, and a capped forend. The Marlin “Bullseye” is present in the belly of the buttstock, and there are sling studs front and rear. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stocks show light wear, with a few scratches, dings, and scuffs scattered throughout. The stock’s finish is largely intact. The stocks fit tightly to the frame, with no play. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks rate in Good to Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear, with a few superficial imperfections scattered throughout the barrel, magazine tube, and the receiver. The hammer extension shows a few dings, and there is some light surface corrosion freckling on the forend cap and dovetail spacer between the barrel and magazine tube. Otherwise, the bluing is deep and dark throughout. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are lightly tooled, but all retain strong and serviceable slots. Overall, this rifle rates in Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the half-cock safety. We did not fire this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Marlin Model 444S is a classic example of Marlin’s big-bore lever-action lineage during the late 1970s, a period when the company was producing robust hunting rifles at its New Haven facility. Introduced to deliver true heavy-hitting performance in a familiar lever-action format, the 444S combined traditional Marlin handling with a longer barrel and straight-forward sporting configuration. The presence of the JM stamp and Micro-Groove rifling firmly places this rifle within Marlin’s well-regarded pre-Remington production era.
Chambered in .444 Marlin, this rifle is built around a cartridge developed in the 1960s specifically to push large-diameter bullets at useful hunting velocities from a lever-action platform. Designed to offer substantial frontal area and energy for large game at moderate ranges, the .444 Marlin has long been associated with woods hunting and decisive terminal performance. The 22-inch barrel, factory iron sights, and added Williams aperture sight reflect a setup intended for practical accuracy and fast target acquisition in real-world hunting conditions.
This example presents in good to very good overall condition, retaining the majority of its original blued finish with honest handling and field wear consistent with a working hunting rifle. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, the action functions correctly, and the walnut stocks show natural wear while remaining solid and well fitted. Overall, this Marlin 444S stands as a representative example of a powerful, American-made lever-action rifle from Marlin’s New Haven era, chambered in one of the company’s most distinctive big-bore cartridges. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! – J.D.
