Model 90 Combination O/U

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j7l2
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Model 90 Combination O/U

Post by j7l2 »

How rare or desirable are these? Found one, .22 LR over .410, condition 95%. 3 digit serial number. Never seen one before. All original finish, bores perfect. Quality looks good. Any comments or info? Any guess on value?
Thanks,
j7l2
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Road King
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Re: Model 90 Combination O/U

Post by Road King »

One just sold for $2150.00 . Description says less then 100 built. Not sure how correct that is. Here is the link.

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Milit ... n/43954851
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" More guns then I need, but not as many as I want."
utvolsfan77
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Re: Model 90 Combination O/U

Post by utvolsfan77 »

j7l2 wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2020 3:07 pm How rare or desirable are these? Found one, .22 LR over .410, condition 95%. 3 digit serial number. Never seen one before. All original finish, bores perfect. Quality looks good. Any comments or info? Any guess on value?
Thanks,
j7l2
Does it have double triggers or a single trigger? What is the barrel length? Is the rib between barrels solid or "ventilated"?

Most combination guns like yours have the shotgun barrel on top and the rifle barrel underneath. From what you said above though, yours is opposite of this normal arrangement.

My latest "Blue Book of Gun Values", which is a couple of years old, shows only 500 of these being made between 1937 and 1959, and that is why yours only has a three digit serial number. Values range from $230 to $3,200 depending upon condition and gun specifics. Could you post some pics of it?
j7l2
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Re: Model 90 Combination O/U

Post by j7l2 »

Double triggers, solid ribs between barrels, no checkering. No pictures. Barrels 26 long.
j7l2
utvolsfan77
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Re: Model 90 Combination O/U

Post by utvolsfan77 »

J7L2,

Well that helps narrow it down a bit. My reference books show the Marlin Model 90 over/under shotguns were made in 12, 16, 20 gauge and .410 bore AND as combination guns, with barrel lengths of 26, 28, or 30 inch barrels. Guns made from 1937 until 1949 had a ventilated rib between barrels, while guns made after 1949 had a solid rib between barrels.

The regular Model 90 over/under shotguns were made in two versions: one with double triggers and one with a single trigger. As is the case with most major makes of shotguns, 12 gauge was the most common chambering with .410 bore being the least common. It seems that, all else being equal, the smaller the gauge, the more valuable a Model 90 becomes because they were produced in much smaller quantities.

To give you an idea of price ranges, the 37th Edition of Blue Book of Gun Values shows the Model 90 in 12 gauge with double triggers ranges from $230 to $475, while the single trigger version ranges from $375 to $625. The Model 90 .410 bore version with double triggers ranges from $975 to $1,995, while the single trigger version ranges from $1,500 to $3,200.

The combination guns were made in 12, 16, 20 gauge and .410 bore shotgun barrels on top of .22 Long Rifle, .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, and .30-30 rifle barrels on the bottom from 1936 until 1959. My references show that total production, in all chambering combinations, was limited to about 500 total combination guns. If this number is correct, Road King is probably correct stating less than 100 were made in .410 bore and .22 Long Rifle.

Your Model 90 was most likely made after 1949 due to it having a solid rib between barrels. As far as values, depending upon condition and a few other factors, your version ranges from $1,400 to $3,200. I hope this helps you out.

Try posting some photos and I'm sure that Regnier (gunrunner), Marlinman93, Road King, or other more experienced members will be able to help you out and give you more detailed information.
j7l2
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Re: Model 90 Combination O/U

Post by j7l2 »

Very good info.
Thank you,
j7l2
BarkeyVA
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Re: Model 90 Combination O/U

Post by BarkeyVA »

Most of the information previously posted about the Marlin Model 90 Combos is correct except for one important detail. The Blue Book is WRONG about open and closed barrels. According to Brophy in his book about Marlin Firearms published in 1989 by Stackpole Books, Model 90’s made prior to 1949 have a rib between the barrels. After 1949, they are open between the barrels.

All of my Model 90’s made in 1949 and later have open barrels. Those made prior to 1949 have a rib between the barrels. And, Model 90’s made after WWII have a letter prefix in the serial number to indicate the year made.

Marlin introduced to combos in the Fall of 1939 so your .22/.410 combo was made between 1939 and 1941 if it does not have a letter prefix serial number.
BarkeyVA
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