Custom Marlin 1897 24″ Threaded .22 Short Long LR Lever Rifle, Ca. 1908 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,275.00

WOA#: WY240516TM005

Make: Marlin Firearms Co.

Model: Custom 97 Takedown 

Serial Number: The bottom-front of the receiver has serial “397393”. The portion of the receiver housing the lever, hammer and trigger is not serial marked. There is a serial marking in the upper tang inlet, it is heavily worn, but does not appear to match the front receiver serial.

Year of Manufacture: Barrel-receiver assembly Ca. 1908, stock receiver assembly ca. 1897-1905.

Gauge: 22 Short, Long, & Long Rifle

Action Type: Lever Action Takedown Rifle 

Markings:  The top of the barrel is marked “Marlin Firearms Co. NEW-HAVEN, CT, U.S.A. / PAT’D NOV. 19. 1878. APRIL 2. 1889. AUG. 12. 1890. MAR. 1. 1892.”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL / 1897”. The inside of the receiver is marked “PAT. JUNE 8 1897”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “397393”. The bottom flat of the thread adapter is marked “A F”. 

Barrel Length: The barrel proper is approximately 24”. It is 24 5/8″ to the end of the installed thread adapter.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a white beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The front sight is not original to the gun. The rear sight has two folding leaves in a base dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. One base is a tall, wide “V”-notch, the other is a shorter flat-top “U”-notch that appears to have been modified. The top of the receiver has two drilled, tapped, and filled holes for installing an optic (not included). The top tang is drilled and tapped with a Marble’s folding tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock are two-piece select walnut with factory No. D pattern checking, metal nosecap, “S”-bottom semi-pistol grip, straight comb, checkered hard rubber Marlin buttplate and sling swivels front and rear. The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is a tiny loss at the toe. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a brownish color, having scattered light wear and well defined checkering with a matching small loss at the toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The two portions of the receiver assembly are not original to each other. Some other parts may have been replaced. It is likely that the thread adapter is not original to the gun.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition:  This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. THe magazine tube has mostly gone to a light patina on the exposed portions with protected portions having good finish. The barreled portion of the receiver retains generally good case color while the stocked portion shows notably more muting, though it has good color in protected areas. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There is scattered minor surface oxidation, most notable in the worn areas. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings in the metal are clear, as noted the serial marking in the top tang inlet is worn and illegible. Overall, this rifle rates in Good-Plus condition as not parts-original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.   

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Marlin’s Model 1897 had such a successful production run that its overall design continued in use under the alias of ’97’ until 1921 when the model was changed to ’39’ and then ’39A’ around 1940. The legacy of these rifles is not exaggerated by any stretch of the imagination; a light handling, take-down rifle that has a well-balanced half-length tube magazine and 24? octagonal barrel. 

This example has been customized. The two portions of the receiver are from different guns, one 1905 or earlier and the other ca. 1908. It is likely the stocks are from the earlier receiver, having factory Marlin No. D checking and beautiful grain. In addition to this mixture, the barrel has had a thread adapter installed. It is interesting as the thread protector has full threads, while the adapter has interrupted threads, so whatever suppressor it was designed for was an early form of “quick-detach”. We were not able to determine exactly what make the thread adapter is, but it appears to be a vintage part.

In all, this is an attractive Marlin 1897 that has some interesting quirks. If you can figure out which brand of suppressor it hosts, it should make for a fine shooter or garden guardian. It will also display well in a Marlin collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud