Made: JM Marlin in Connecticut 1948-2007; Remington purchased in 2007; produced in Ilion, New York, and Mayfield, Kentucky 2010-2020; Ruger acquired in 2020
Variants: 336A, 336A-DL, 336C, and 336SC in .30-30, .32 Special, and .35 Remington. Numerous rifles, carbines, and calibre configurations. Also Model 30 series, Glenfield, and store brand models
Production: More than 6 million
Original Price: 336A: $69.75 US; 336A-DL: $84.50; 336C and 336SC: $58.75
Current Value: Used 336A- ADL, $800-900; 336C-SC, $800-1,400. New (Remington), $750-1,000
Marlin origins
The Model 336’s origins are tied to the company founder. John Mahlon Marlin was born in Connecticut in 1836. Starting as a tool and die apprentice, he later worked for Colt during the Civil War. He began making rimfire single-shot derringers in 1863 and added Ballard falling-block rifles in 1875, before incorporating the Marlin Firearms Company in 1881.
Business boomed after Marlin unveiled his Model 1881 lever-action rifle. Other models followed but the Model 1889, with its solid top frame and side ejection, introduced the “Marlin look.”
Marlin refined it further with the Model 1893. Available in many calibres, it featured case-hardened hardware, straightgrip walnut stock and forearm, 26-32-inch round or octagonal barrels, and a scope option. Marlin produced nearly 1 million Model 1893/93s by 1935. Its siblings, the Model 1894, for pistol cartridges, and the Model 1895, for large hunting calibres also sold well.
The company struggled after Marlin’s death in 1901. His sons diversified by producing pump shotguns and wartime machine guns. After several other owners failed, lawyer Frank Kenna bought the corporation in 1923. He renamed it the Marlin Firearms Company and reintroduced the most popular models.
In 1936, Marlin replaced the Model 1893/93 with the Model 1936/36. Versions included the 36RC (regular carbine) and 36SC (sporting carbine) with 20-inch barrels; and the 36A (rifle), and 36A-DL (Deluxe Rifle) with 24-inch barrels, in .30-30 or .32 Special.
In a 1948 marketing move, Marlin replaced the Model 36 with the refined Model 336 series. Since then, Marlin has produced more than 40 different versions in various configurations. The 336C Carbine in .30-30 or .35 Remington, however, remains the most popular.
Unfortunately, Marlin’s fortunes faded after Remington’s acquisition in 2007. Remington moved production, but not the staff, to its own plants in 2010-11. Sale of Remington/Marlins — “Remlins” — plummeted until Remington reengineered production in 2015.
Despite Remington’s 2020 bankruptcy, Marlin’s future looks promising. The new owners, Sturm, Ruger, and Company unveiled their first Marlin, the Model 1895SBL, last year. I can’t wait to see their version of the venerable 336!
Originally published in the April 2023 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS magazine
Ken Doherty is a retired teacher, curator, writer, and a long-time resident of Peterborough. He enjoys collecting, target shooting, and hunting with vintage firearms. Contact Ken at: mail@oodmag.com
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