12-08-2018, 06:27 AM

'Remlins/Marlingtons' will have an MR in the serial number, along with an REP proof stamp on the barrel instead of the JM proof. And they will say Ilion NY as the place of manufacture instead of North Haven CT.
I'm not sure all Remlins have it, but the newer ones have that stupid square bar code stamp on the side of the receiver as well.
Here are some links for dating more recent Marlins:
MARLIN Manufacturing DATE CODE
Marlin Manufacture Dates
https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...-serial-number
I just bought an 1894 Cowboy Limited in .45 Colt. You can't make out the JM proof mark, it is too blurred.
But it says North Haven CT on the barrel.
The guy I bought it from said it was made in 2000, but the serial number puts it at 1988.
Maybe he bought it used, and was told wrong by the guy he bought it from. I got it for $750, and it was shot very little.
I have seen JM Cowboys going for $1100-$1200 lately, not sure I'd put out that much, the 2017 Cowboy I looked at at Sportsman's Warehouse last year looked great, and it was $775.
I can understand wanting to avoid Marlins made at the Freedom Group take over and maybe 3 years beyond.
All of the 'Marlingtons' I've seen that were made in the last 5-6 years have been fine.
I have two, and they are equal in all respects to my JM's, and have even better polishing and bluing.
The one thing they need to improve on, is how the edges of the flats on the octagon barrel models are rounded over, where the JM's octagons have crisp edges.
If a JM Marlin is too steep in price, consider getting a newly made Marlin.
You can buy a lot of bullets, brass and powder for that $400 or $500 you'll save.