Make: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: Model '97
Serial Number: 434492
Year of Manufacture: 1906-1916 / C&R
Caliber: .22 S/L/LR
Action Type: Lever Action, fed by Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26" Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top of the receiver and tang are drilled, tapped, and filled for sights, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with straight grip, straight comb, checkered hard rubber Marlin buttplate, and capped forend. There are scattered compressions and nicks. The stocks have been lightly sanded and refinished. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows modest wear with a loss at the heel. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Hardened
Finish Originality: Original. The magtube has been refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is dull with defined rifling. There is light erosion throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and operational wear, thinning on the leading edges and intermittent oxidation. Most of the case color has gone completely mute and taken to a mottled patina. The magtube has been reblued. There is intermittent pitting on the magtube that has been blued over. There are tool marks on the sides of the barrel at the front sight base. The barrel has some stronger blue with areas of thinning and mottled patina. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the half-cock safety. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Marlin’s Model 1897 was an improved takedown version of the company’s successful Model 1892 rimfire rifle. Its compact action, exposed hammer, tubular magazine, and ability to chamber .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle cartridges made it a versatile small-game and recreational rifle. The designation was shortened to Model '97 around 1905, and the design later formed the foundation for Marlin’s enduring Model 39 series. This example's 26-inch round barrel is a particularly handsome configuration, providing a long sight radius and the balanced profile associated with Marlin’s early full-length sporting rifles.
This rifle retains about 30% of its original metal finish, with the balance showing thinning, handling wear, oxidation, and a mottled patina. The magazine tube has been reblued over areas of intermittent pitting, while the walnut stocks have been lightly sanded and refinished but remain free of noted chips or cracks. With its long round barrel and classic takedown rimfire action, this remains an appealing representative of the design that established Marlin’s celebrated line of lever-action .22 rifles.
