Identical But Different Mfrs.?

[Joe Chartreuse]

I have a 1930s Mossberg & Sons Model 10 ,22 short/long/long rifle single shot bolt action here in the house. At the cabin I have a Marlin ( Model 100? Can't remember) of the same era. As far as I can tell they are pretty much identical. My question is whether one copied from the other, or they collaborated, or.......?

 

[Yaworski]

Engineering is all about copying what works and making incremental improvements all while avoiding patent infringements.

 

[pisgah]

If you're designing a single-shot .22 to sell for $3-5, as many of these rifles did, you're going to design pretty much the same rifle.

 

[eveled]

I think it is very likely they were made in the same factory. Gun and knife manufacturers used to do stuff like that all the time. Especially on the low cost low profit items in the lineup

 

[Richard76]

I remember years ago I did a service call at a company that made pry bars. All the bars were the same and depending on the order, a Matco, Snap-on, craftsman or some other brand handle would be heated and formed on. the only way they would be considered defective was if the lettering was on the wrong side. I was amazed at how many rejects they had. 55 gallon drums full. I took a couple of each size home from the barrels. still have a bunch I didn't give away. Company wasn't in business long. Apparently if you don't hire people smart enough to figure out what side the lettering goes on you don't make a profit

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Engineering is all about copying what works and making incremental improvements all while avoiding patent infringements.

I was / an electronics engineer- more about development of new tech for me, but I get it. The problem is I don't see an "incremental improvement" on either. Later on in the '50s Marlin came out with micro-groove

 

[eveled]

Both were in North Haven CT. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marlin made both of your rifles. I have a Bolt action Marlin and a JC Higgins both made by Marlin. Mechanically identical, the Marlin is fancier. Is your Marlin is fancier than the Mossberg?

Marlin made their rifles top tier. Fit, finish, sights, wood, checkering, metal polish etc all would be lesser on the rifles made for the other company. But those were store brands. I can’t find any reference to a Marlin made Mossberg

Mossberg 10 on top
Marlin 100 on bottom.

Pretty close for sure. But how different could 2 single shot bolt actions be? They look alot like a Winchester I have too.

Have you tried swapping parts?

 

[gunzo]

Happens in later models as well. Rumer has it the Ruger 10/22 is a knock off of the Marlin 60. Ironically, as much as I've been in the boiler room of both to see, I never noticed. The Ruger LCP is so close the the Kel-Tac 3AT that it's very obvious.

Yep has & is still going on.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Both were in North Haven CT. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marlin made both of your rifles. I have a Bolt action Marlin and a JC Higgins both made by Marlin. Mechanically identical, the Marlin is fancier. Is your Marlin is fancier than the Mossberg?

Marlin made their rifles top tier. Fit, finish, sights, wood, checkering, metal polish etc all would be lesser on the rifles made for the other company. But those were store brands. I can’t find any reference to a Marlin made Mossberg View attachment 103233View attachment 103234

Mossberg 10 on top
Marlin 100 on bottom.

Pretty close for sure. But how different could 2 single shot bolt actions be? They look alot like a Winchester I have too.

Have you tried swapping parts?

Thank you. Yes, I have swapped bolts with no noticeable difference in fit or performance.