Make: Marlin Firearms Co.
Model: 1897
Serial Number: A6069
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1916-1917, A Prefix / C&R. Assembled from parts by Marlin Arms Corp. or Marlin-Rockwell during WWI while carrying out war time contracts.
Caliber: 22 S/L/LR
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle fed by tubular magazine.
Barrel Length: 26" Part Octagon, Part Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman brass beaded blade, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight dovetail is filled with a Marble blank. The tang is installed with a Lyman tang sight. The top of the receiver has three drilled, tapped, and filled holes.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered deluxe walnut with an "S"-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, checkered hard rubber Marlin buttplate, and capped forend. The number inside the buttstock does not match the receiver. There is a crack in the left side of the wrist at the receiver and a chip on the right side of the wrist at the receiver. There is a small crack on the bottom of the forend at the cap. There are scratches, compressions, and nicks throughout. The LOP measures approximately 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the end of the buttplate. Overall, the stock rates in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat bright. The rifling is defined. There is light erosion. There are two squib rings near the muzzle end of the barrel. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its original finish. The balance of the finish shows light operational and handling wear. The case color is strong in the protected areas and is generally well preserved with nice figuring throughout with some muting in the high handling areas. There is intermittent oxidation and thinning on the leading edges. The markings are crisp. The screws range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Marlin Model ’97 was the takedown successor to the Model 1892 and carried forward Lewis L. Hepburn’s compact, solid-top, side-ejecting rimfire action. Marlin shortened the Model 1897 designation to Model ’97 around 1905, and regular sporting-rifle production largely ceased when the company was reorganized and its facilities were redirected toward wartime contracts. A-prefix rifles are generally attributed to the unsettled World War I period, when Model ’97 rifles were assembled from existing parts under Marlin-Rockwell or related corporate ownership. This rifle’s 26-inch part-octagon barrel and checkered deluxe-style walnut furniture give it considerably more collector interest than a standard round- or octagon-barreled sporting rifle.
This example retains about 80% of its original blue and case-colored finish, with strong case-color figuring remaining despite muting and intermittent oxidation. Its checkered stocks show scattered handling wear, a small wrist crack and chip, and a small forend crack, while the rifle is fitted with a Lyman tang sight. The deluxe configuration, substantial original finish, and A-prefix wartime association make this a compelling transitional Marlin for the advanced rimfire or lever-action collector.
