The Marlin Star

[marlin1893]

I was wondering on the orgin of the star.Iam not sure but I think I rember reading somewhere several years ago
about some of the old Springfeild carbines being marked with a star.I can't recall where on the rifle it was located
and Ia'm not even real shure that I read this but am fairly sure. Anybody got any info.

[airedaleman]

You may be thinking of the star-gauged '03 Springfields. The star gauge was an exteremely accurate bore measuring device; barrels showing highly consistent internal dimensions were marked with a star in addition to the date, and were set aside for use in match rifles. The Marlin star appears on Model 93 (not 1893) rifles and was, I believe, an inspection mark. Marlin used it in their advertising as a "guarantee" of quality and accuracy.

[jorgy]

The star also appeared on Marlin 39 rifles. This was an inspector's mark. It means as close to perfection as Marlin can make rifles.