Vintage Marlin 455 bolt action Mauser

Shovel

Shovel

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Hi all, I'm sure someone here knows what I have. From a couple of hours googling I believe it has a stainless micro-groved barrel, Sako trigger group and Belgian made Mauser action. Chambered in 308. Says only 50 or so made in 308. Marlin stopped making them end of the 50s. A few questions... why is 1975 stamped on the receiver? Does the rifling look ok judging from the poor picture. Any info on this rifle greatly appreciated

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Cool, I haven't seen one of those. I had a Marlin 322, Sako L46 action in .222 Rem. Mine had been re barreled at some point. Apparently the Micro Groove barrels while excellent for .22 LR, weren't the best for centre fire calibers.
The 322 was made between 1954-1956. 1975 is probably your serial number.
 
gaff said:
could you post more pics. ,floor plate, rear sight, other side of reciever, butt stock , etc.
Click to expand...

I'll take the stock off later this morning and take a couple of pics. I'm curious of the trigger adjustments and the stock. Should there be an id on either? Stock doesn't look like it's been used much.
 
kawicrash said:
Cool, I haven't seen one of those. I had a Marlin 322, Sako L46 action in .222 Rem. Mine had been re barreled at some point. Apparently the Micro Groove barrels while excellent for .22 LR, weren't the best for centre fire calibers.
The 322 was made between 1954-1956. 1975 is probably your serial number.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same about the serial but from what I've read they didn't make that many of the 455
 
Shovel said:
Hi all, I'm sure someone here knows what I have. From a couple of hours googling I believe it has a stainless micro-groved barrel, Sako trigger group and Belgian made Mauser action. Chambered in 308. Says only 50 or so made in 308. Marlin stopped making them end of the 50s. A few questions... why is 1975 stamped on the receiver? Does the rifling look ok judging from the poor picture. Any info on this rifle greatly appreciated

IMG-20230320-154633.jpg


IMG-20230320-154708.jpg


IMG-20230320-154455.jpg


IMG-20230320-154417.jpg
Click to expand...

Why do you think it’s stainless? The bluing on the outside would seem to counter your assertion.
 
The Model 455 was made from 1955 to 1959, total production was 1,138 rifles. In .30-06 there were 1,079 made and in .308 production was a grand total of 59 rifles.

The action was made by FN and used a Sako trigger mechanism. Marlin manufactured the stainless steel barrel. Bishop Gun Stock Company designed and built the stock. A Lyman 48 was used for the rear sight.

Firearms International Corporation of Washington, D.C. ordered 500 rifles that were specially serial numbered from 1000-1500. The bolts were to be numbered to the receiver.

I'm guessing that the number 1975 on your rifle is the serial number, check your bolt, it may have the same number.
 
Yep confirmed same number on the underside of the bolt. Rear sight is missing. Hope the Lyman 48 isn't too rare
 
Nope, not rare. I think Lyman code SME for Springfield Mauser Enfield (model 1917 or pattern 14 not Lee). Steel sight as well. Probably get one to fit that for $125 or so.o
 
A few more pictures. Also is there a year in the serial number? Is this number 975 and the 1 means first year or something similar. There is a number that is hard to make out on the bottom of the receiver. Looks like a sin dremeld on the bottom of the trigger guard

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Shovel said:
Also is there a year in the serial number? Is this number 975 and the 1 means first year or something similar.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't spend much time trying to find secret codes in the serial number. In 1958 there were 37 rifles chambered in 308 and in 1959 there were 22.

My info is from the book Marlin Firearms: A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them by William S. Brophy.
 
Yep fair enough. Probably 58 59. Spent some time cleaning the bore. Hopes 9 and copper brush. Grooves are more visible. Not sure what micro grooves should look like. Was going to put a scope on an see how it shoots. Only Mauser bases I have are on another Mauser and they don't want to leave so I'll have to go buy some
 
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