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A couple of truly vintage plinkers
- North Country Gal
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- Location: northern Wisconsin
A couple of truly vintage plinkers
Yeah, I've been in the plinker mode of late. Picked up this pair of vintage 22 LR plinkers today for $500 total.
The bottom gun, of course is a 10/22, but it's an early 1968 vintage carbine with the original Overton stock. A previous owner messed up the stock a bit (see pic), otherwise I would have payed more. Amazingly, I actually found another Overton carbine stock in much better shape on e-bay this morning at a bargain price, so this will be every nice 10/22 carbide when I'm done. Will be a nice companion to my 10/22 finger groove Sporter of similar vintage.
Now, the top gun is one you don't often see. In fact, this is the first one I've ever seen. Let's take another look, then.
Nope, not a Winchester or a Remington or a Savage. It's a Marlin, a Model 38 pump 22. These were made from 1921 to roughly the end of 1929 with a production run of only about 20,000. It was Marlin's attempt to get into the all steel and walnut pump 22 game and compete with Winchester, Remington and Savage. The Marlin was a bit more expensive, so it never caught on, but there are some experts who consider the Model 38 a cut above the much more famous legendary Winchester 61 pump, thanks to the Model 38s amazing machining and features.
This one also has a bad butt stock, actually much worse shape (see pic), but I took a chance and bought the Marlin, anyway. Believe it or not, got home and was shocked to find a new replacement stock for it at a very reasonable price, too. Must be on a roll.
I'll need a long post to explain how the Marlin is so unique, but more on that later. I did take it out and shot some CCI quiets with it in the backyard and it shot great. More on this one, later.
The bottom gun, of course is a 10/22, but it's an early 1968 vintage carbine with the original Overton stock. A previous owner messed up the stock a bit (see pic), otherwise I would have payed more. Amazingly, I actually found another Overton carbine stock in much better shape on e-bay this morning at a bargain price, so this will be every nice 10/22 carbide when I'm done. Will be a nice companion to my 10/22 finger groove Sporter of similar vintage.
Now, the top gun is one you don't often see. In fact, this is the first one I've ever seen. Let's take another look, then.
Nope, not a Winchester or a Remington or a Savage. It's a Marlin, a Model 38 pump 22. These were made from 1921 to roughly the end of 1929 with a production run of only about 20,000. It was Marlin's attempt to get into the all steel and walnut pump 22 game and compete with Winchester, Remington and Savage. The Marlin was a bit more expensive, so it never caught on, but there are some experts who consider the Model 38 a cut above the much more famous legendary Winchester 61 pump, thanks to the Model 38s amazing machining and features.
This one also has a bad butt stock, actually much worse shape (see pic), but I took a chance and bought the Marlin, anyway. Believe it or not, got home and was shocked to find a new replacement stock for it at a very reasonable price, too. Must be on a roll.
I'll need a long post to explain how the Marlin is so unique, but more on that later. I did take it out and shot some CCI quiets with it in the backyard and it shot great. More on this one, later.
6 x
- RetiredSeabee
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Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
The Northwoods Gun Whisperer strikes again. I need to channel your energy.
3 x
Load on Sunday and Shoot all Week.......okay it's a Mare's Leg I will reload on Wednesday.
- North Country Gal
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- Location: northern Wisconsin
Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
Thanks, Seabee. You might have to start calling me the stock whisperer the way I found stocks for both guns on the same day I bought them.
3 x
- Vaquero
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Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
I'll try and remember that...North Country Gal wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 9:13 pmThanks, Seabee. You might have to start calling me the stock whisperer the way I found stocks for both guns on the same day I bought them.
Nice snag Girl, I'll have to look that ole Marlin up in the Brophy's book. Congrats all around!
Those may be a take down?
RP
0 x
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
- Sir Henry
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Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
Those are two that could have followed me home.
0 x
Hi, my name is Gene and I'm a Henryholic from Wisconsin.
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Range Reporter: Henry Repeater
Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
Very nice purchase for three Ben Franklins. I am sure you know no high speed ammo in the Marlin.
0 x
- North Country Gal
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Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
Thanks, folks.
Yeah, the Marlin was made just before HV 22 ammo appeared. I mostly shoot SV and even the lower velocity Quiets, so no problem. .
Yeah, the Marlin was made just before HV 22 ammo appeared. I mostly shoot SV and even the lower velocity Quiets, so no problem. .
1 x
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
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Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
22s are always fun.
1 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
- North Country Gal
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- Posts: 6099
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:46 pm
- Location: northern Wisconsin
Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
It's not only takedown, but you can do it instantly with just your thumb. Really is unique. More on that, later.Vaquero wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 9:28 pmI'll try and remember that...North Country Gal wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 9:13 pmThanks, Seabee. You might have to start calling me the stock whisperer the way I found stocks for both guns on the same day I bought them.
Nice snag Girl, I'll have to look that ole Marlin up in the Brophy's book. Congrats all around!
Those may be a take down?
RP
1 x
- daytime dave
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Re: A couple of truly vintage plinkers
Congratulations on two great .22 rifles NCG. I never knew about the Marlin.
0 x
Some days I'm Andy, most days I'm Barney........
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member