Dating a Marlin 1894

[Mattnall]

A question for those that know Marlins, I hope you can help me out.

I've just come by an 1894 in .44Mag, great condition. Not shot many rounds it appears, 100% bluing still present and the gold plated trigger is still fully plated.

As it's not the 'S' model I know it must be earlier than 1984. Am I correct in thinking that if you subtract the first two digits of the serial number from 2000 you get the date of manufacturer?

In this case the first two are '21' so I'm thinking made in 1979 by my method. (Does this also work for the model 39s I have here?) I have another .44 here (an 1894S) with a blued trigger and the number starts '04', so I'm hoping a 1996 model? It would seem to bear out my thinking as I bought this new with the promise of pistol hand-in money (about 1997) to replace my Desert Eagle so I could keep the reloading press all set up.
It just seems crazy to have serial numbers reducing as times moves on, eventually you'll get to the point of negative numbers or have to have a rethink.

Many thanks for any help you can give.

[Gazoo]

Yes 1979, if you go to marlinspares.com you can download a sheet with all the prefixes and dates etc.

[ovenpaa]

Matt, this is the one I use for confirming dates with Marlin numbers http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php however I do have a spreadsheet somewhere that does it in a bit more detail.

Now if only something similar existed for the Remington built models

[Mattnall]

Thanks Guys, looks like it was '79 for this one.
Thanks also for the two good resources now I am at home and can see them, it's a PITA when I cannot get anything firearm related on the PC at work. So far this forum has managed to slip the net but it gets tighter all the time.

[mowdy]

The proof marks can help .mine is proof stamped in 88

[saddler]

Saw through the barrel & count the rings?

[Mattnall]

The proof marks can help .mine is proof stamped in 88

Would be good but it was only proofed recently as it turned up unproofed where I bought it from. I'm guessing it was a personal import by the previous owner.

[WelshShooter]

Some advice for dating Marlins... Be careful with the fingering otherwise you'll end up with the elusive Marlin jam.

[Egg on Leggs1]

Flowers and chockies, intimate meal at the range and back to her gun cabinet for some deep cleansing.

[Gazoo]

And make sure you get one over 16 yrs old or fingering will lead not only to jam but jail as well !!