Marlin Model 90 with "A" Serial Number

[BarkeyVA]

The seller of a Marlin Model 90 o/u that he listed for sale on another web site (http://www.lake-link.com/tradingpost/it ... stID=51009) told me that it has an A3xx serial number. One list of Marlin Mfg. date codes for Model 39's I saw showed "B" for 1941. It also stated that Marlin did not use any date codes for the period 1936-1940. However, I assume this particular Model 90 was made in 1940. It does have the pre-WWII checkering pattern on the stock.

Anyone else have (or have seen) a Model 90 with "A" serial number?

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

BarkeyVA;

There have been several guns with the "A" serial number prefix indicating manufacture in 1940 reported. I believe there was something recently written up in the Association's newsletter, with a couple of different models listed, among them was a Model 90. Brophy told me years ago, that the letter "A" was used on some 1940 guns.

[BarkeyVA]

Thanks for your comments. Interesting that Brophy didn't mention it in his book. Were your conversations with him after it was published?

[Parley Baer]

There was a lot of information that Bill Brophey had that never got published. Maybe he should have had two books.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

BarkeyVA;

Parley is right, there was a lot of information missing in the book. But, if I remember correctly, Bill told me about the letter prefixes the first time we met in 1973. It was at that meeting that the Marlin Firearms Collectors Association, Ltd. was formed. It was a long weekend at the Milwaukee gun show and it was a very interesting weekend for a young collector.

[BarkeyVA]

Need to start now planning for something special to celebrate the MFCA's 30th anniverary in a couple of years.

One thing I keep asking about involves the solid rib between the barrels that, according to Brophy, was phased out in 1949 when Marlin started making Model 90's that were open between the barrels. I have a 16 ga with "D" serial number (1947) that is closed between the barrels. However, I also have a 12 ga. with "D" serial number (all serial numbers match) that is open. Ron Borko suggested that there must have been a transition period when Marlin started making and selling selling Model 90's that are open between the barrels.

So far, I have not found anyone else who has a Model 90 with a "D" or "F" serial number (1948) that is open between the barrels.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

BarkeyWV;

Better make that 40 years, as we already did a 30th Anniversary, a few years back.......

[BarkeyVA]

BarkeyWV;

Better make that 40 years, as we already did a 30th Anniversary, a few years back.......

2nd grade arithmatic gets harder every year. And to think I have a masters degree in chemistry with a math minor. On the other hand, that was over 40 years ago.

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

BarkeyWV;

Gee, do you have to know something about numbers to get a Masters Degree in Chemistry with a Math Minor? Somehow, that just does not seem reasonalble!! What do schools expect these days?

[BarkeyVA]

Gee, do you have to know something about numbers to get a Masters Degree in Chemistry with a Math Minor? Somehow, that just does not seem reasonalble!! What do schools expect these days?

I should have phrased it differently. I have a Masters Degree in Chemistry AND a Math Minor. One might be surprised at how much math was required for chemistry 40+years ago. Have no idea what is required these days. As you know, there has been a lot written in recent years about the "dumbing down" of college curricula.

[surfal]

I HAVE A 12,16,AND 20 GA. WITH FXXX SERIAL # AND ALL ARE MODELE 90.
With open barrels

[Road King]

I have a Model 90, 16 ga. with open barrels and serial number H108, does that put it 1951 for DOM?

[BarkeyVA]

'Yes, H-serial number indicates 1951. Marlin did not use 'I', 'O' or 'Q' in the serial number.

[davepark]

I also have the same type with Road King.