Identifying old Marlin 12 gauge pump with hammer

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ChuckMoody
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Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:38 pm

Identifying old Marlin 12 gauge pump with hammer

Post by ChuckMoody »

I have an old Marlin 12 gauge pump (Slide) action shotgun with hammer inherited from my father.I believe it may be a Model 1898. It is in very good condition. The hammer has a lock position which is just back from the pin if hits. It was last fired in the 1950s

It has a serial number of 17645 and a barrel serial number of 18546 F

On the top of the barrel it has:
Marlin Firearms Co, New Haven CT USA
Pat'd Nov 6, 1894, May 12, 1896 and June 2, 1896

Can someone tell me more about this shotgun?
Correct model number
Are barrel and receiver original
How to lookup serial numbers
Date of manufacture
Other useful information
Regnier (gunrunner)
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Re: Identifying old Marlin 12 gauge pump with hammer

Post by Regnier (gunrunner) »

ChuckMoody;

You have indeed a Marlin Model 1898, exposed hammer, pump action 12 gauge shotgun. From the serial number, we can approximate that it was made about mid to late 1900. The only existing records start at 19,600 in early 1901.
Since your receiver serial number and barrel serial number are pretty close, most likely they are original to each other.
The "F" in the barrel serial number indicates that the barrel is a full choke barrel, either 30 or 32 inches in length.
The Model 1898 is a takedown action whereby the barrel can be unscrewed from the receiver for ease of cleaning and carrying.
The Model 1898 was made from 1898 to 1905. The records are incomplete, and serial numbers are intermixed with other model numbers, so we do not know how many were made during the production run. There were 4 grades of the Model 1898 produced. The "A" grade or standard grade, the "B" grade, a better gun with checkered walnut stocks and a Special Smokeless Steel barrel, the "C" grade, an engraved gun with fancy walnut, better checking and a Special Smokeless Steel barrel, and the "D" grade gun, which had more and better engraving, Circassian walnut stocks with fancier checking, a Damascus barrel and gold plated screws and trigger.
I hope this helps.
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