marlin 336 dating question

[murdoc rose]

got a new 336 today and got to wondering how old it is, the model number is just 336 however it does have a 20in barrel so its a carbine of some sort, has jm stamped on the barrel and serial is 72077xxx no checkering its not that old but cant seem to find a correct date in my book or online maybe I'm just missing it somehow or something anyway thanks

 

[jmr40]

According to www.armscollectors.com it was made in 1972. Apparently that was the last year where the 1st 2 digits are the year of manufacture. Starting sometime in the early 70's you subtract the 1st 2 digits from 100 to get the date of manufacture. For example if the first 2 digits are 25, it was made in 1975. That system is used still today.

On older guns several different numbering systems were used. Marlin has made some limited editions from time to time that do not fit the code.