[ammo53]

I was at a gun show last weekend and saw a Marlin 336 laying on a table that was nickel plated. I assumed at first that it was something that someone had customized but was later talking with the older gentleman who owned it and he told me that his wife had bought it for him for his birthday in the early to mid 1970's, and she purchased it new from a shop in Florida where they were living at the time. I checked the serial number and if my memory serves me correctly, it was made in 1976. Has anyone seen or heard of this type of finish on a factory Marlin from that time period? I thought that it might have been a distributor special for sale in areas of the US where the possiblity of corrosion was likely from salt water??? The hammer and trigger were gold plated. Any ideas or info??

[waidmann]

The Standard Catalog of Firearms 2009 lists a 336SS (stainless steel), 336M (Marine) both had stainless receivers and 20 inch barrels .30-30 only. It does not give further info.

According to the Blue Book the M was introduced in 2000 and the model designation changed in 2001.

I can see nothing else close to the above.

[Dr.Rob]

I couldn't find any Marlin info on such a beast, it's possibly a specialty aftermarket maker in Florida or a "Franklin Mint" kind of firearm.

[Dr.Rob]

I did find info that back at the turn of the century Marlin would factory nickel plate a firearm, or selected parts.

Is it possible what you saw wasn't a 336?

[waidmann]

Hubcap Annie's, right after the rechambered and bobbed Victory Models?