Make: Marlin

Model: 410

Serial Number: 5440

Year of Manufacture: 1929-1932

Gauge: .410 Bore, 2" & 2 1/2" Shells

Action Type: Tube Magazine Fed Lever Action Shotgun

Barrel Length: 26"

Choke: Modified, Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a metal bead at the muzzle. The top of the receiver is finely serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with semi-beavertail forend, straight comb, pistol grip with Marlin's "S"-shape on the bottom, Marlin "bullseye" in the belly, and serrated black hard rubber buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is an open grain-line crack on the left-rear of the forend which does not extend to any edges. There are some scattered voids in the finish, mostly in the buttstock. There is a small loss at the toe. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear with a very small loss at the toe. The stocks rate in Good-plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Casehardened Lever

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 45% of its metal finish. Strongest finish is in the receiver and lever with some in protected areas of the magazine tube and barrel. There is scattered minor surface oxidation with a spot of erosion on the left of the barrel over the magazine tube. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The concept of a lever-action shotgun is not particularly new, it was used on one of the first repeating shotguns, the John Browning designed Winchester 1887. Like many of Marlin's lever guns, they allowed the design to mature a little before bringing out a gun that was arguably better than Winchester's offerings. The Model 410 was introduced in 1929 using essentially the same design as their Model 93 rifle. This incorporated nice features such as a quite simple design, easy disassembly for maintenance, and side-ejection. The 410 was able to hold six shells, making for a nice gun to carry around looking for small game.

The Model 410 is scarce with an estimated 10,000 produced, but more rare is the Deluxe model. This was never listed in a Marlin catalog or price sheet, and so the only examples produced would have been by special-order, and they are quite rare. This gun's stock checkering does not precisely match the pattern of other observed examples, however each of these would be a one-off order and it is not impossible that the checkering was not standardized. Given the figuring of the wood, lack of finger-grooves on the forend, proper dimensions, "S"-grip and bullseye, we believe it is more likely than not that this is a genuine 410 Deluxe, making for a wonderful addition to a Marlin collection. It would also turn a couple heads at the skeet range, if you really want to challenge yourself. Please see our photos and good luck!