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Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:31 pm
by Farmall
Local owner is selling a Marlin 336 R C (35 cal. Remington)its in nice shape just about perfect he is asking 500 dollars, I told him its a nice rifle and I do want to buy it but he is too high in price , he insist that its a vintage pre 1964 unit I am not sure I agree, as I bought the same rifle new in 1979 for 160 dollars, so my question is can any one help with the age and fair value of this rifle? Th e serial number is 813304.

Thanks Jack

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:52 pm
by Bear 45/70
Since the 336RC was only made from 1948 to 1968 I find it hard for you to have bought a 1979 model. The "E" at the front of the serial number makes it a 1948 gun. It has Ballard style rifling (not micro-groove). Value depends on the condition of the gun.

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:34 pm
by Farmall
Its probably a memory glitch but I absolutely did buy a new Marlin 336 as I recall it was a 336C chambered for a Remington 35 Cal.and it was bought in 1979 the 336 R C I am looking at looks exactly like the 336C that I previously bought new and it too is chambered for a 35 Remington , the serial number does not have a prefix letter.

Where am I wrong here I don't get it.

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:50 am
by Farmall
Okay getting it a little 336 RC and 336 C are two different rifles, going back for another look at the 336 RC serial number since I did not see a prefix letter just 813304.

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 4:57 am
by chrifle
The Marlin 336RC and 336C are essentially the same rifle, with 20" barrel and full length magazine tube. Basically only the barrel stamp is different, with the 336C designation started in 1969 (it denotes "carbine" vs "regular carbine"). Manufactured continuously from 1948-1983, when the cross bolt safety was added, it became the 336CS in 1984. The .35 Remington was added in 1953. Your rifle beginning with serial 81.... should have a letter prefix? or if it is a leading 01 or 91, it was manufactured in 1999 or 2009 respectively. $500 is MUCH overpriced, probably by 100-150 in my opinion. Look elsewhere, and check the auction sites on the internet: auctionarms or gunbroker (for example) to see what used rifles are really selling for...

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 9:53 am
by Bear 45/70
Farmall wrote:Okay getting it a little 336 RC and 336 C are two different rifles, going back for another look at the 336 RC serial number since I did not see a prefix letter just 813304.
During the years the RC was manufactured the HAS to be a letter or two at the front of the serial number or it is not an RC. My RC is U52XX making it a 1960, well there were some strange things going on then and it could have been made any time between august of 1960 to August of 1961.

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 10:48 am
by Farmall
Yes I read the serial number wrong it is S13304 I mistakenly took the S for a 3 :oops: I also measured the barrel and its twenty inches long.

I appreciate the info as I really want this rifle however if he sticks to his asking price I will have to pass.

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:18 am
by Farmall
Okay great Regnier (gunrunner) pointed me in the direction of the GENERAL GUN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS" section of this message board looks like its a 1959 date of manufacture .

Any thoughts on the value of this 1959 336RC its in very nice condition no rust ,wear or scratches , stocks are a bit grainy and not a well finished as the 336C that I bought in 79 I am thinking thats just the way it was in 59.....

Thanks for any and all thoughts :D

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:54 pm
by chrifle
A 1959 336RC will have an oil finished, walnut stock - that's why it looks different than your previous 1979 336C with Marshield (trademark) finish (started in the early 70s). There is NO collector value premium for a "pre-64" Marlin - only when you go back to a ballard rifled gun (pre micro-groove), will anything be different or of additional value for a Marlin collector. Pre-64 is a term used by Winchester collectors to denote an era of preferred manufacturing quality of the Winchester bolt action model 70. Original condition for collectors is everything, but no standard RC is worth $500 in my opinion. You can buy premium condition Marlins from that era for $400, no problem, and on any day of the week! Simply check the auction sites I mentioned previously for reference...

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:56 pm
by Farmall
chrifle wrote:A 1959 336RC will have an oil finished, walnut stock - that's why it looks different than your previous 1979 336C with Marshield (trademark) finish (started in the early 70s). There is NO collector value premium for a "pre-64" Marlin - only when you go back to a ballard rifled gun (pre micro-groove), will anything be different or of additional value for a Marlin collector. Pre-64 is a term used by Winchester collectors to denote an era of preferred manufacturing quality of the Winchester bolt action model 70. Original condition for collectors is everything, but no standard RC is worth $500 in my opinion. You can buy premium condition Marlins from that era for $400, no problem, and on any day of the week! Simply check the auction sites I mentioned previously for reference...


Thank you I will post back how I make out as I will try to negotiate a more reasonable price hoping for the 250-300 range.

Thanks again Jack

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:48 am
by jlough
Is there any way to tell the year of manufactor for the 336 RC?

Re: Marlin 336 R C question

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:44 am
by Regnier (gunrunner)
Jlough;

Did you read any of this post at all?
Look at the serial number, then go to the section titled "General Gun Questions and Answers" and the very first post is about determining the year of manufacture.