Marlin 336 Overhaul

[ChrisG]

Very, very nice. I would have sent it out to someone. I admit, it's a project I wouldn't tackle. Stock refinishing, ok, but rust blueing, no way. Congratulations

It is actually mostly just time consuming. I had to build the steamer but it was very exciting as I carded off the black oxide to see that beautiful sheen come through.. The cool thing about it is that, if you have sanded it to at least a 400 grit shine, your bluing will come out like this if you degrease and apply in long thin strokes with the applicator just barely damp with solution. degrease, apply, rust, steam, card, repeat 6-8 times and this is what you get:

In my mind, the Winchester 1895 is the ONLY lever action which can be "bespoked" if that is a word. Look at how beautiful that rifle is without being over the top.. It is still functional and I wouldn't hesitate to carry it afield... but DANG!!! it is gorgeous. This is what the metal on the marlin came out looking like... I wouldn't waste two beautiful walnut burls on a marlin 336 but they look beautiful here.

 

[MartyJ]

The 95 is a gorgeous rifle. But I must admit, using the words of John Barnes, I'm a bit of a loonie when it comes to Winchester lever actions. I fell in lust, I mean love, with President Roosevelt's 1876. Then the 1886 and of course the 71. All these rifles when touched by a master become special. It's truly Americana.
I do have the urge to take a 405 to Africa, of course my father thinks I'm crazy.

 

[ChrisG]

Nice work, I'm sure it takes a lot of hours!

It does but it is also worth it to me. I have a love affair with making old beat up stuff look and work as new or better than new. The original marlin 336 had no checkering on it but... I figured it couldn't hurt and I haven't done any in a while so I thought it would give me some practice too.

 

[cagkt3]

Beautiful work @ChrisG, well done sir!

 

[ChrisG]

Beautiful work @ChrisG, well done sir!

Thanks! One of these days I would love to build a 7x57 mauser sporter rifle with Westley richards or Rigby-esque lines to it. maybe someone has a donor 98 action they would like to sell for such a project.

 

[Shootist43]

All joking aside, that was a very good restoration job on the 336. Just like Von Gruff's knives, this might give you something to make a few bucks from during your retirement years even though they may be sometime from now.

 

[ChrisG]

All joking aside, that was a very good restoration job on the 336. Just like Von Gruff's knives, this might give you something to make a few bucks from during your retirement years even though they may be sometime from now.

I would actually like to do this full time. Making custom hunting rifles would be a dream come true for me. It just takes a lot of gumption to walk away from a good job when I have a wife and kid and house payments, etc. etc to see if I can make a living at it. Plus there is all the licensing and a lot of ATF mumbo jumbo... Its more than I want to take on right now, plus all the capital that would have to be invested. I did this one so I could give it back to the guy for his birthday all dressed up.

In the meantime, I guess I could checker gunstocks for people, as I find it really a lot of fun.... all food for thought.

Currently working on learning to engrave but I am still a ways from the confidence to put graver to gunmetal.

 

[Rob404]

Beautiful work,

 

[ChrisG]

Beautiful work,

Thanks! I am actually working on another one right now. I think I will go with some form of Fluer de lis checkering on it. I know it is like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear but it should be fun!

 

[Rob404]

Thanks! I am actually working on another one right now. I think I will go with some form of Fluer de lis checkering on it. I know it is like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear but it should be fun!

If you want to take a crack at Bluing the reviever on the Chilean Mauser I just Re-barreled let me know

 

[ChrisG]

If you want to take a crack at Bluing the reviever on the Chilean Mauser I just Re-barreled let me know

I would love to! unfortunately, in NYS (ie the socialist republic of extreme taxation), I would need both an FFL, and a NYS Gunsmith's license. I don't do enough of these to make money at it and both of those are expensive and extensive processes. I got around this by purchasing the rifle for $1 from the guy, then giving it back to him for his birthday as a birthday gift. I would do something similar if you lived near me.... The other thing is, you could probably have that thing hot blued for a lot less than I could rust blue it for you. The only time that rust bluing is typically used is in situations where a hot blue might melt solder (double barreled shotguns/rifles) or a person is trying to recreate an authentic finish.

I appreciate the offer though. If you want that mauser checkered after its all done though, give me a shout. That I would do for a reasonable amount and all I would need is the stock!

 

[Rob404]

I may take you up on the Checkering, That Mauser is such a good shooter That I'm going to make a keeper out of it and make it my #2 Rifle on my next Africa trip. I just need to figure out if it can be converted from a cock on open as opposed to a cock on close

 

[ChrisG]

I may take you up on the Checkering, That Mauser is such a good shooter That I'm going to make a keeper out of it and make it my #2 Rifle on my next Africa trip. I just need to figure out if it can be converted from a cock on open as opposed to a cock on close

So it is currently a cock on closing? Usually that would entail a new bolt shroud, new cocking piece and a new sear. They would all have to be fitted to the gun. Basically a whole new bolt unless you can find a guy who will TIG up the old shroud and machine the angled portion that cocks the striker... It might be lot of work but someone somewhere has done it I'm sure.

 

[Rob404]

So it is currently a cock on closing? Usually that would entail a new bolt shroud, new cocking piece and a new sear. They would all have to be fitted to the gun. Basically a whole new bolt unless you can find a guy who will TIG up the old shroud and machine the angled portion that cocks the striker... It might be lot of work but someone somewhere has done it I'm sure.

Sounds like I'm going to keep it the way it is.

 

[sambarhunter]

ChrisG thanks for the heads up on your thread,great detailing about all the great tasks you have done,thank you.
You must be a man of patience.

 

[PARA45]

Beautiful work!

 

[ChrisG]

Beautiful work!

Thanks

 

[ChrisG]

ChrisG thanks for the heads up on your thread,great detailing about all the great tasks you have done,thank you.
You must be a man of patience.

Thanks! I hope it gave you some idea of what is entailed. I know you will love your rifle with a rust blue.

 

[CTDolan]

I would actually like to do this full time. Making custom hunting rifles would be a dream come true for me. It just takes a lot of gumption to walk away from a good job when I have a wife and kid and house payments, etc. etc to see if I can make a living at it. Plus there is all the licensing and a lot of ATF mumbo jumbo... Its more than I want to take on right now, plus all the capital that would have to be invested. I did this one so I could give it back to the guy for his birthday all dressed up.

In the meantime, I guess I could checker gunstocks for people, as I find it really a lot of fun.... all food for thought.

Currently working on learning to engrave but I am still a ways from the confidence to put graver to gunmetal.

Ditto. It's always been something of a dream but, single family income, two kids, mortgage, etc. and you get the drift. The time to do so is when young, when financial obligations are not so burdensome. I've dipped my toe here and there but have relegated the passion to an early retirement gig. Fingers crossed.

 

[CTDolan]

Stock work is a good start, though. The cash outlay is minimal and risk (liability) also quite small.