1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

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gordylew
Levergunner 1.0
Posts: 80
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:49 pm
Location: Georgia

1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by gordylew »

I've been handed a real job. A friend handed me this 1897 Marlin that he has had sitting in a closet for 30 years. the problem is who ever owned it before him 1. lost the finger lever 2. started an enlay job but did not finish.
The blue is 95+% as well as the original case hardened receiver.
question is "what would you do?
replacement stocks, have a competent wood worker"which I'm not" finish the enlay.
And where would I find an original finger lever? I already hit Numerich and the other usual suspects. no luckImage
gordylew
Levergunner 1.0
Posts: 80
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:49 pm
Location: Georgia

Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by gordylew »

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deerwhacker444
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Location: Oklahoma

Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by deerwhacker444 »

Marlinman will be along shortly. He'll probably be able to shed some light on your dilemma.
"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men
shall possess the highest seats in Government,
our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots
to prevent its ruin
." Samuel Adams
Pete44ru
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 11242
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:26 am

Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by Pete44ru »

I'd try for a lever, and go from there.
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marlinman93
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Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by marlinman93 »

I think I have a couple levers for the 1897, if it's straight grip. As for the wood I'd like to see pictures before directing you down a particular route. My gut tells me to forget the inlay, as regardless of how well, or poorly it's done they look bad and hurt the values. As for whether the wood can be saved, resurrected, or replaced; that would require a picture. Either send me one, or post it here. I'll check a couple levers I have against one of my 1897's.-Vall

marlinguy@juno.com
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
nemhed
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1195
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 2:36 pm

Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by nemhed »

I took the liberty of copying the photo of the inlay "work" from gorylew's photobucket link.
Image
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J Miller
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Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by J Miller »

This just my opinion you understand, but if I had that rifle, and it was in that condition, I'd replace the lever ~AND~ the wood. I wouldn't even try to fix that botched job.


Like I said, JMHO.


Joe
***Be sneaky, get closer, bust the cap on him when you can put the ball where it counts ;) .***
morgan in nm
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 532
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:04 pm
Location: Eastern NM

Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by morgan in nm »

Thats a travesty :cry:
gordylew
Levergunner 1.0
Posts: 80
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:49 pm
Location: Georgia

Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by gordylew »

Hey Marlinman;

I'll be emailing you tomorrow. I'm at work tonight and can't email.

Thanks Gordon
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marlinman93
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Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by marlinman93 »

After seeing the pics I'd definitely have that wood repalced! The gun is too nice not to have new wood, unless you can find very good used wood. New will be much cheaper!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
gordylew
Levergunner 1.0
Posts: 80
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:49 pm
Location: Georgia

Re: 1897 Marlin Old lady needs help

Post by gordylew »

The old Marlin is slowly coming together. Thanks to marlinman she has a new finger lever. replaced the broken buttplate the other day and waiting on an ejector. still looking for replacement wood if anyone has a line on some please let me know.
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