First Year Marlin Model 375 .375 Winchester 20″ Lever Action Rifle MFD 1980
SOLD FOR: $1,525.00
LSB#: LSB251006VN030
Make: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: 375
Serial Number: 20078964
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Caliber: .375 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action, fed by Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MODEL 375”, along with Marlin’s New Haven address, “- CAL. 375 WIN”, “MICRO-GROOVE BARREL”, and a circled “JM” stamp. The top tang is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 20″
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 top of the receiver is mounted with a Bushnell Banner 2.5x scope, with a crosshair reticle. The glass in the scope is clear. The scope shows minor wear, with a few minor dings and hairline scratches in the scope’s finish. Overall, the scope rates in Very Good condition. The scope is mounted on a one-piece Weaver style base, and sits in 1″ Weaver rings. The scope rings are on a hinge and pivot to the left, allowing the use of iron sights by being able to flip the scope out of the line of sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece smooth walnut stock set, with a capped semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, brown rubber buttpad, a smooth capped forend, and sling studs front and rear. The Marlin “Bullseye” is present in the belly. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stocks show light wear, with scattered scratches, dings, and compressions throughout. The stock’s finish is intact. The stocks fit tightly to the frame, with no play. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks rate in 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, but there is some minor pitting in the bore, about 3″ down from the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear, with some thinning of the finish at the muzzle, and on the top of the barrel just forward of the rear sight. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in 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: This rifle comes with the scope as mentioned above.
Our Assessment: Marlin’s Model 375 is one of the most desirable and short-lived variants in the 336-family lineage, chambered in .375 Winchester, a modernized, higher-pressure descendant of the classic .38-55. Produced only for a few years beginning in 1980, the Model 375 offered hunters a powerful, hard-hitting lever-action rifle tailored for black bear, hogs, elk in timber, and other close-range to medium-range game requiring deep penetration and reliable impact energy. This first-year example, bearing the correct “JM” stamp and Micro-Groove barrel markings, reflects Marlin’s New Haven craftsmanship at its peak.
The rifle remains in very good overall condition. The bluing is clean and deep, with only light thinning at the muzzle and near the rear sight. The walnut stocks retain strong finish and attractive grain, with only modest scattered handling marks and no structural defects. Mechanically, the rifle cycles smoothly, the half-cock safety functions properly, and the bore, while showing a small patch of minor pitting near the muzzle, remains bright and sharply rifled throughout the majority of its length.
The included Bushnell Banner 2.5x scope is mounted on pivoting hinge rings, allowing the shooter to swing the optic aside and immediately access the factory iron sights, an uncommon but highly practical setup for a heavy-caliber, woods-oriented lever gun. With its scarcity, strong mechanical presentation, excellent condition, and highly capable chambering, this Model 375 stands out as a desirable collectible and a powerful hunting rifle ready for the field. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – J.D.
