Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we traverse from our normal “E&I” column items to look at tangibly investing in “Pre-Remington” Marlin firearms.
Tangibles Focus: Pre-Remington Marlins
My friend Commander Zero, the editor of the Notes From The Bunker preparedness blog has several times mentioned the significance of “Pre-Remington” Marlin firearms. This term refers to Marlins that were produced before Remington acquired the company in December of 2007, whereupon reportedly the quality control of their rifles began to suffer.
In 2011, Marlin closed its North Haven factory, ending 141 years of manufacturing In Connecticut. That was the end of an era, in the eyes of most American gun collectors. There were many “transitional” Marlins made between 2008 and 2011, but those will never have the resale value of true pre-Remington Marlin rifles.
Although the quality issues have now largely been remedied, there is still a stigma attached to any post-2007 Marlin rifle. From a practical prepping standpoint, the contemporary Marlins–now often made with composite or synthetic stocks and weather-resistant finishes–are quite serviceable guns. But it is the pre-Remington Marlin rifles that are considered most desirable, by collectors.
The newer Marlins, sometimes derisively called “Remlins”, are scoffed at, by many serious gun collectors. To them, a “proper” Marlin Firearms rifle must:
A.) Have been produced by the original Marlin company, in North Haven, Connecticut.
B.) Have no Remington markings.
C.) Have a “JM” acceptance stamp on the barrel, just forward of the receiver.
D.) Have no cross-bolt safety. (Added to all of their lever-action rifles, in 1984.)
E.) Be unaltered, from the way that it came from the factory. (No sling swivels or recoil pad added.)
And, of course just like any other collectible modern firearm, the accompanying original factory box is a huge plus, when appraising value.
Marlin has a fairly detailed company web site that shows their various models.
I recommend that you keep your eyes peeled when visiting guns shows, gun shops, and pawn shops, to find “correct” collectible pre-Remington Marlins.
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