What do I have, an old Marlin?

[GHollan]

I inherited a rifle from my Dad. He taught me to shoot it over 50 years ago and I haven't shot it since and I could use a refresher and a manual if they are available.

The scope says Weaver G4.

My guess, it is a Marlin but not one manufactured by Ruger.

Any idea what model and year of manufacture? One search indicates the serial number range places the manufacture date in 1890?

I want to clean it up, understand the specifications, cleaning recommendations, and anything else I should know.

Thank you

 

[bedfordboy]

Looks like a Winchester model 74 to me but let’s wait for others more knowledgeable than me to reply
I have a Win 74 with a vintage weaver B6 scope and if I do my part it’ll put 10 shots in a dime at 50 yards. Hard to beat those early Winchesters, that one looks like it could use a little TLC

 

[M118LR]

Isn't that A Win 1902? .22LR?

 

[XUSNORDIE]

@bedfordboy is correct......that's a tube fed semi M74....

 

[GHollan]

I called Winchester and Andre agreed it looks like a Winchester Model 74 manufactured in 1940.

He didn't know what type or how many cartridges it takes but thought 22 short. He said there were a lot of different versions. The document he sent says "22 Long Rifle Rim Fire Cartridges Only". "Capacity - 14 Long Rifle cartridges." Sounds like He may not have looked at the file but maybe there are different versions?

I'm thinking 22 long must be correct. Anyway to confirm without taking to to a gunsmith?

Thanks all.

 

[edm1]

Yes that’s a 74. Look on the barrel in front of the SN in your pic. It at one time had all that info.

 

[GHollan]

Yes that’s a 74. Look on the barrel in front of the SN in your pic. It at one time had all that info.

Amazing what taking it outside in good light and some photo editing and sharpening will do.

I was ready to think it was a 22 Long rifle before seeing the text on the barrel, especially since I was given a lot of 22 Long rifle cartridges as well as a lot of 22 short that I thought went with the Hi Standard Model C my Dad also left me.

Thank you for letting me know where to look and now I don't know how I missed it.

 

[Yaworski]

So it is a .22 Short. Interesting.

 

[eveled]

Nice little rifle. It’s gonna feel good to shoot it after 50 years.

 

[kmoore]

Looks like a Winchester model 74 to me but let’s wait for others more knowledgeable than me to reply
I have a Win 74 with a vintage weaver B6 scope and if I do my part it’ll put 10 shots in a dime at 50 yards. Hard to beat those early Winchesters, that one looks like it could use a little TLC

I agree with all you said.

I got to the ID'ed part after I posted.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

So it is a .22 Short. Interesting.

Why? That was the original chambering.

The 74 was supposed to emulate the Auto 5 and was popular at carnivals. Although the rifle the OP pictured is missing the shell deflector that was present on 74 Gallery Guns in 22 Short.

 

[Ranger Marlin Ruger]

I inherited a rifle from my Dad. He taught me to shoot it over 50 years ago and I haven't shot it since and I could use a refresher and a manual if they are available.

The scope says Weaver G4.

My guess, it is a Marlin but not one manufactured by Ruger.

Any idea what model and year of manufacture? One search indicates the serial number range places the manufacture date in 1890?

I want to clean it up, understand the specifications, cleaning recommendations, and anything else I should know.

Thank you

View attachment 101586View attachment 101587

You have a Winchester Jam-O-Matic. My wife had one of those and would jam at least 4 times per magazine full of cartridges. Did not matter what brand or style of ammo.

 

[bedfordboy]

The bolt can get leaded up pretty bad and be extremely difficult to remove especially if it hasn’t been serviced for a while. I’ve also read that unless you have experience not to disassemble the bolt as it can be VERY difficult to put back together. Mine will jam when I pull the bolt back to chamber the first round especially when it’s fully loaded and the magazine follower is locked in but never had any problems otherwise.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Ghollan, quick question: How is the balance? I know that the gallery rifles were often purposely unbalance. It's balance may tell you of previous usage.