"New-Old Stock" Marlin 45-70

[Archangel14]

Guys, help me out here. I was down at my local GS helping my buddy buy a scope for his AR. The store is nicely appointed; somewhere between a mom and pop store and Cabelas. Any hoot, they have five Marlin 45-70's for sale on consignment. The rifles are advertised as "New-Old Stock" and it was explained to me that they all came from the collection of some old timer who just passed. His relatives placed them into consignment. They all have that half octogonal barrel, and the barrels seem to be in excess of 20 inches. They're all "used", but all appear new. Very clean shape. Little to no use. They're all priced at $525.

Give me the skinny on these. Should I pick one up? I really don't have a purpose for one, other than maybe hunting one day years from now, or defensive purposes I guess.

Thanks.

 

[peacemaker45]

Did you want a Marlin when you went in? If not, then you'd be losing the use of $525, regardless of whether that's a few bucks less than you'd pay elsewhere. Now as to whether you can afford such a loss, you know better than I.

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[peacemaker45]

Ps- to answer you more directly, older Marlins are excellent rifles in general. Two items of concern. They're a little bit light to be chambered in .45-70. They bounce pretty hard with the old school 405 grain loading, and can get fairly intense with the more modern flavors. Also, check to see which rifling type it has. If it's Marlin's proprietary Micro Groove, then you'd be best off sticking to jacketed bullets. That's a pity in a cast bullet caliber like this. If it's got the more standard cut rifling, it'll do well with either type.

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[hatt]

If those are the LTD guns they're easily worth hundreds more than that. Where's this place located?

 

[Dr.Rob]

Great price if they are marked JM.

 

[jmr40]

Marlin made a limited run with half octoagon barrels just a few years ago. Easily worth a lot more than $525. I'm thinking 24", maybe 22" barrels. They also made a full octogon 20" barrel at the same time. All had sraight stocks.

You can date any Marlin made after 1972 by subtracting the 1st 2 digits of the SN fron 100. For example if the first 2 digits are 05, it was made in 1995. If 99, thien it is a 2001 gun.

 

[StrawHat]

...They're a little bit light to be chambered in .45-70.
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I believe they weigh the same as the original Winchester 1886 lightweight model. good for carrying and hunting but not for benchresting!

Also, check to see which rifling type it has. If it's Marlin's proprietary Micro Groove, then you'd be best off sticking to jacketed bullets. That's a pity in a cast bullet caliber like this.
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Lots of fellow on a cast bullet site have gotten the micro groove barrel to shoot lead. A larger diameter bullet is usually required.

 

[Archangel14]

All had sraight stocks.

I believe two of them had the stock style with the slight pistol grip. I'm going to go take another look at them. Very attractive rifles.

 

[hatt]

The LTD series came with straight and pistol grips. I'm still kicking myself for not buying a II 5-6 years ago.

LTD I – straight grip, 24” half round bbl.
LTD II – checkered, pistol grip, 24” octagon bbl.
LTD III – straight grip, 18.5” octagon bbl.
LTD IV – straight grip, 24" octagon bbl.
LTD V – checkered, pistol grip, 24” half round bbl…

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/45-70-govt/89682-ltd-series-45-70-marlin-rifles.html