information on a Marlin 1897

robster · Post by **robster** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:11 am

I have a Marlin 1897 ( will post picture up soon) it was checked out by a few people at a gun shop and all said it was in great shape. I glanced at the blue book value of it and it was over $1,000.00 I am trying to get some info on this gun and what I have found out is limited. The gun I know was made around 1904-1908 due to its serial number. The gun has some inlay in the stock and forearm which matches its age. the gun has a brown even finish on it and a bright barrel. I know without a picture of it posted right now its hard to say. but I am looking for another picture of the top of one to see and compare mine. any help would be great. Thanks

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:18 am

You have a "flat top" Model '97. Those 2 screws on top of the receiver are for a Hepburn receiver sight. If it is post 1908 rifle, then it will have 2 screws, on the top left side of the receiver, that are for the Model 39 style ejector.

The inlay is not factory, but was probably done by someone to personalize it.

If the rifle is in full, brown, patina, with no bright "vivid" case left, then it is probably closer to a $550-$650 rifle.

This is a Model 97, of mine, for comparison.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:53 am

There are usually a couple of 1897's up on GunBroker at any given time with pictures you may compare with yours. You can probably also get a feel for what they are going for up there if you keep an eye on the sold prices and ignore some of the wishful minimum bid listings.

As jdad notes, good case colors on the receiver can make a substantial difference.

cowboykell · Post by **cowboykell** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:07 pm

This one sold privately... http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... m=98280441

robster · Post by **robster** » Sun May 11, 2008 4:28 pm

well here are some pictures of it. There are 3 screws on top. The gun has been in my family for over 30 years. It was purchased in WV this I know. the inlay is aged and I have been told that Marlin has more than once made guns to to order. But I can't say this was done or not done with this one. The serial number is A72XX.

What I was told from marlin.
a low Serial number was A441 1908
to a high serial number was A7937 was 1915

with mine at A72XX. While I don't know how many they made each year I can only guess at the age of it. There is no case color on it as you can see. It is a take down model as it has the knob on the other side.

Here is the inlay

here is the top

I ask as I have some questions on the top. As I am unsure. your help so far has helped me. If you have any other info for me it would be great. Thanks

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sun May 11, 2008 5:39 pm

Everything on the receiver looks correct for a post 1908 Model '97.

All Model 1897's/'97's were takedowns.

Marlin did have a custom shop that was open during the Model 1897 production, but your rifle's inlay work was more than likely not done there. If you notice, the buttstock has been sanded down around the tang area. The inlay work is tastefully done though. Marlin did not start putting a white "spacer", in the buttstock until the early 1950's.

I'd still say it's about a $350-$400 rifle, but I would keep the gun in the family and enjoy shooting it.

robster · Post by **robster** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:20 pm

I knew some of it but not all of it on the info. Thanks for your help

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:42 am

Nice rifle Robster and I agree with jdad's evaluation.If the rifle was mine I would keep it in the family.