JM Marked Marlin Model 444S 22″ .444 Marlin Lever Action Rifle, 1971 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,676.00

WOA#: WY240604WS004

Make: Marlin

Model: 444S

Serial Number: 71174418

Year of Manufacture: 1971

Caliber: .444 Marlin

Action Type: Lever Action with Three Quarter Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 22”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is an XS tall blade with a vertical white line dovetailed to the front of the barrel. An XS ghost-ring sight is installed on the top-rear of the receiver. The sights are not original to the gun. There is a dovetail at the rear of the barrel currently filled with a blank. The top and left of the receiver have drilled, tapped and filled holes for mounting sights/optics (not present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and brown rubber Decelerator buttpad. There is a Marlin “bullseye” in the belly. There is a sling stud installed in the belly with another mounted to the magazine tube forward of the forend. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures approximately 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad. The pad shows light wear and remains pliable. The stocks rate in Very Good-Plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued w/ Gold Toned Trigger 

Finish Originality: The receiver appears to have been refinished. Other finish appears Original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the Micro-Groove rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There are a few light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows light operational wear. There are some minor imperfections and polish marks under the finish on the receiver, most notable in the flats. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are . Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine Plus overall condition as partially refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lever locks up well and the hammer has a quarter-cock safety position in addition to a lever safety. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Created in 1964 as a joint venture between Marlin and Remington, the .444 Marlin cartridge was developed to fill the space left after .45-70 lost popularity in the United States. Able to push a 240 grain projectile at 2,400 FPS, the cartridge can be used for even the largest game North America has to offer. It has an advantage over the .45-70 in that it was designed for use with smokeless powder, not for black powder. After the cartridge was completed, the Model 444 was released in 1965 and is just like a 336 with strength upgrades to handle the potent round.

This 444S has a pistol grip stock and a 22” barrel. It has been equipped with a set of XS sights and retains a great bore and strong mechanics. There are some imperfections under the finish on the receiver which could plausibly be the result of forging inclusions or an end-of-shift-on-a-Friday polishing job, but we suspect that the receiver was refinished. This rifle would be great for hunting or for a Marlin collection which doesn’t yet have a .444S. Please see our photos and good luck!

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

JM Marked Marlin Model 444S 22" .444 Marlin Lever Action Rifle, 1971 C&R
JM Marked Marlin Model 444S 22″ .444 Marlin Lever Action Rifle, 1971 C&R