Marlin Serial Number Lookup: Learn All About Factory Records

Marlin-Serial-Number-Lookup-1

Many Marlin owners find it confusing to get the date confirmation of their rifles via a Marlin serial number lookup. The following article will review how to locate these unique serial numbers and use these special codes for your specific purposes. Here are the topics to be covered in the writeup:

  • Full guide on a rifle’s serial number
  • How to find Marlin serial codes
  • Marlin firearms factory records
  • Misconceptions about Marlin codes

Let’s get started!

Marlin Serial Number Lookup – Dates Of Manufacture

There’s a need to know how Marlins’ date of manufacture work for legal purposes. The primary checking method is subtracting the first two digits, though it doesn’t apply to all Marlin rifles.

So, what are the things to understand concerning the dates of the manufacturing convention? Check the examples to comprehend the categorization of your Marlin action rifle. 

What to Know and How to Find Marlin House Brand Rifles Serial Codes

You need to know or find the first two letter code and numbers or a combination of both. Additionally, it is essential to know the gun’s model numbers found on the following parts:

  • On the upper tang
  • The side of the receiver
  • Lower stock tang
  • Bottom of the receiver

Examples of Reading Dates of Manufacture

The alphabetical position determines the year of manufacture. For instance, the letter ‘S’ is the ID date for the year 1959. Other examples include:

  • Two-letter code: AA-1975
  • Number combination: 24- 1976

It is important to note that the letters’ I’, ‘O’, and ‘Q’ aren’t used as serial number prefixes. The letters do resemble the digits ‘1’ and ‘0’, which might cause further confusion when doing your gun search.

Examples-of-Reading-Dates-of-Manufacture

Marlin Serial Numbering Convention Guide

The year of manufacture does dictate the quality of the Remington Marlin rifle. However, different entities have the necessary information concerning some of the best Marlin centerfire lever action rifles.

JM Stamped Rifles

You can utilize the table below to get the available data on these rifles.

Note: The years recorded, considering Marlins have been around since 1870.

NUMBER/LETTER PREFIX

YEAR OF MANUFACTURE

B

1941 ( WWII production affected commercial manufacture between 1941-1942 until resumption in 1945)

C

1945

c (not capital c)

1946

D

1947

E

1948

F

1949

G

1950

H

1951

J

1952

K

1953

L

1954

M

1955

N

1956

P

1957

R

1958

S

1959

T

1960

U

1961

V

1962

W

1963

Y

1964

Z

1964

Letter Number Combination

Letter/Number

Year

AA

1965

AB

1966

AC

1967

AD

EARLY 1968

68

LATE 1968

69

1969

70

1970

71

1971

72

1972

27

1973

26

1974

25

1975

24

1976

23

1977

22

1978

21

1979

20

1980

19

1981

18

1982

17

1983

16

1984

15

1985

14

1986

13

1987

12

1988

11

1989

10

1990

09

1991

08

1992

07

1993

06

1994

05

1995

04

1996

03

1997

02

1998

01

1999

00

2000

99

2001

98

2002

97

2003

96

2004

95

2005

94

2006

93

2007

92

2008

91

2009

90

2010

Remington Plant and Marlins Arms Merge

Acquisition of Marlin models by Remington Arms plant resulted in using the serial number prefix ‘MR.’ MR’s manufacturing started in 2010 during the production and branding of 1989/1990 Remlin rifles.

These MR serial numbers are digitally generated, thus not clashing with the date of manufacture. You can find this information stamped on the left-hand side of the barrel on the initial ‘JM’ stamp location. 

Remlin Markings Identification

There is a two-letter code where; the first letter represents the month, while the second letter refers to the year of manufacture. Interestingly, the acronym of the month’s letter is BLACKPOWDERX.

One such example is ‘BL,’ representing January 2017 as the rifle’s date. Here is a table representation of the respective markings on the essence model.

Letter Code

Month/Year

L

February

A

March

C

April

K

May

P

June

O

July

W

August

D

September

E

October

R

November

X

December

E

2010

F

2011

G

2012

H

2013

I

2014

J

2015

K

2016

L

2017

M

2018

N

2019

P

2020

Marlin Rimfire Rifles Factory Records

Marlin firearms’ first batch production was between 1883-1906. You’ll find that most of these guns are lever action rimfire rifles and carbines, but records for the 1898 shotgun are still available.

Marlin-Rimfire-Rifles-Factory-Records
Source: www.ebay.com

Note: you might not find customer details on these records, but other configuration info is available if a letter is present.

The recorded data is as follows:

  • Model confirmation
  • Caliber and barrel type
  • Barrel’s length
  • Date of manufacture

How to Order Marlin Firearms Factory Letters After Serial Number Confirmation

You should check with the records office for the necessary information on your Marlin rifle. You can reach the front desk for help at 307-578-4031 or through cfmrecords@centerofthewest.org. After filling out the details, the next stage is mailing.

How-to-Order-Marlin-Firearms-Factory-Letters

What are the Factory Letter Delivery Options

Marlin factory records letters cost $75 for non-members. Also, these factory letters are usually done and ready for mailing about four weeks after receipt of payment is approved. Delivery options include:

  1. Print an order form and send it with the respective payment. The information required includes the following:
    • Email address for more accessible contact
    • Your preferred payment option, where credit cards are destroyed if the information doesn’t match or is faulty. 
  2. Fill out an online order form which you can get through the records office. 

Delivery Payment rates

Delivery Payment is:

  • Standard price: $5 US and $8 for International 
  • Priority: $14 US and $35 for International purposes
  • Extra Cost: An extra cost is incurred per order, not per letter
  • Standard delivery: Standard delivery amount exempted on member benefit letter orders and orders using pre-purchased letter packs

A common misconception about Marlin serial numbering System

Unlike other models, not all Marlin firearms manufactured in 2000 follow the subtraction of the first two characters in their serial number. Nonetheless, here is how you identify the year of manufacture by subtracting the first two characters.

A-common-misconception-about-Marlin
Source: www.americanhistory.si.edu

Finding the Year Of Manufacture Through First 2 Characters

Begin by identifying the serial code’s first two digits (letters) as a minimum or a combination of each. Also, knowing the gun’s model number or having it with you is essential.

You can check the examples above to get an insight into the necessary steps to take. Also, use the tables above to get information on your Marlin rifle.

Determining the Serial Code for Non-serialized Marlin Lever action Rifles

Marlin weapons got sanctioned by law to have serial numbers after 1968. Therefore, the code (two letters) on these gun barrels differs from our list and that of existing records.

The first and second alphabet represents the month and year of manufacture, respectively. Additionally, these two letters were on the left side of the gun’s barrel.

FAQ

What does R in serial number mean?

The letter ‘R’ stands for Remington.

How do you read a serial number?

A gun’s serial number is found at a specific point of your weapon, where you use specific characters to identify the year and month of manufacture.

Where is the serial number on a Marlin?

Marlin’s serial number is at the bottom of the receiver, on the side of the receiver.

Is Marlin 336 Made in USA?

The Marlin 336 is from North Haven, Connecticut, USA.

What year is my Marlin model 336?

The first Marlin model 336 was manufactured in 1973.

Conclusion

Following provided in the article steps and databases that make Marlin guns’ serial numbers lookup successful. If you will have some trouble with manufacturing date codes you also can use contacts to get the necessary data.

So, what Marlin are you lucky enough to own, and what is its year of manufacture? Comment below with your answer and any other additional information.

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Tyler Purol is a professional Bowhunter. He has professional training in hunting. For many years he hunts regularly.