Goofy Marlin Serial number system

[Henry88]

Hey Gang,

So I'm on Numrichs ordering some parts for a couple of old Marlins. I got an extractor and a couple of springs for my Model 25N, and I'm looking for a few parts for my brother in law's Model 60. The thing is it's an old squirrel stocked Glenfield.

So the first thing I want to do is establish the DOM. Well it turns out that they have this goofy system whereby you subract the first 2 numbers from 100.

They did this so customers would not easily be able to identify the DOM and as such, old stock. So they say on Marlin Owners, anyway.

KInd of cool though, in a way. So his turns out to be about '78. I look at mine an it's an '89. I graduated college in '88, so that makes sense.

Anyway, if your's starts with a letter, this doesn't work

Just passing it along..............

[North Country Gal]

Actually pretty easy once you've dealt with the system for a time. In fact, compared to other maker's systems, it makes good sense. No need to go on line and check with the manufacturer and deal with a separate set of numbers for various models, such as Ruger and Ruger is a breeze compared to S&W and others.

Here's the basic system for rimfires that were serialized, such as the 39 and all centerfires, regardless of the model, with some exceptions for special editions.

Marlin DOM
1946-C
1947-D
1948-E
1949-F
1950-G
1951-H
1952-J
1953-K
1954-L
1955-M
1956-N
1957-P
1958-R
1959-S
1960 (August)-1961-U
1961 (August)-1962-V
1963-W
1964-Y,-Z
1965-AA
1966-AB
1967-AC
1968-AD, -68
1969-69
1970-70
1971-71
1972-72

Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:
Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75] and SN 94365295 would have been made in 2006 [ 100 - 94 = 06 (2006) ].

[bandit1250]

I think the Marlin system of dating the fire arms is one of the better ways of my guns. I carry a card in my wallet with the Marlin letter dating codes when I am at gun shows and it is amazing how many dealers try to sell you a gun and swear it is really old only to have me show them the date code chart that shows they missed the date by a lot. Remington is not to bad with dating their manufacture date except when there is a poorly struck letter that is difficult to read. On the Remington you can determine the month and year of manufacture. Cz is easy as they just stamp the year made on them on the left side of the barrel ahead of the receiver and on the left of the receiver. It is nice to be able to determine the date your guns were made. I don't have any really "old" guns like some guys have. My oldest is a 1933 Model 34 Remington 22.

[ditto1958]

I agree. I like their system, as I can look at used Marlins on gun racks, and know right away when they were made.

[North Country Gal]

Like Bandit, I also carry the letter code years in a small notepad (mine in my purse) when at a gun show or a shop. It also has a lot of serial number info on Rugers, since I shoot so many off those.