[luckytexan]

I picked up an old Marlin Model 36 lever action (the model that preceded the model 336). However, when the hammer is at half-cock, the hammer will fall when the trigger is pulled. Does anyone know a good gunsmith in the north Houston area who has plenty of experience with lever actions?

[Boxhead]

You might give Alan Harton a call at 713-907-6031. Though not north he is about 10 minutes southwest of the the Galleria. He has done a lot of sixgun work for me, including full blown customs and often has old leverguns in the shop too. He is a master with the TIG welder and heat treating which is what you need. He fixes old Colt SAA's with broken hammer notched all the time. You will not be disappointed and tell him Boxhead sent ya.

[luckytexan]

Thanks, Boxhead. I'm about an hour and half north of there, but I'll give Alan a call.

[Misfire99]

I would try to find a new hammer before anybody had to weld up a new half-cock notch. Yes can can and has been done. But I bet a hammer will cost a lot less then the time to have him tig up the notch and machine it in. Then stone it correctly. This is very time consumming work. A new hammer is a drop in job, or should be.

I just did a quick google search and came up with this :
http://www.gun-parts.com/marlin/

They list a hammer for $30. I bet you could even drop it in yourself.

[luckytexan]

A new hammer was my first thought as well, Misfire, and you're right that it would be a lot less expensive. I'm not a gunsmith, though, and that's why I was looking for an honest and knowledgeable gunsmith nearby who could take a look at it and give me some options, along with making sure it is safe to shoot.

I'm not sure the hammers are interchangable between the Model 36 and the Model 336. I'll keep on researching it. Perhaps I'll find a gunsmith in the area who's familiar with both models.