I have been scouring the local garage sales for tools and such and stumbled across a Marlin 12 gauge 2 3/4" chambered over and under in beautiful shape. Frankly I never knew Marlin made a over and under scatter gun.....but since it was new to me I thought I better ask people who might know more than me! This individual is asking $225.00 for the gun and it is nicely ingraved with a nice stock with no major damage or injuries. Blueing is nearly perfect. I thought seriously about talking dollars with the individual but since I am not in the market for an over and under it really doesn't mean much or my collection. Is this a find? or is it an average buy? My friends tell me to snag it (bird people).... me - (big bore rifle).... have no need for it. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks
Er ic

Eric; I have never heard of one,why not grab it and flip it,then you can get something you Would like! derf

I had one a few years ago, Nicely made and very reliable shotgun. I think I paid about $350 in very good shape for mine. If you want a 12 ga. to hunt wiht and not worr about It hink ou could do alot worse than this one

I have seen a few of these at gunshows for $400+, and a guy I work with has a 20ga he wants $600 for, although he hasn't found any takers yet. Just out of curiosity, does this one have a vent rib? I have never seen one so equipped.

DGK

yep....

vent rib and all. The thing that struck me is the engraving all over the sides of the receiver and breech area. Doesn't appear to be after market type engraving either - it is subtle and quite beautiful. I am going to meet with the guy this weekend to look harder at this Marlin again. Oh...decisions. If this shotgun isn't a great find I am really not interested in aquiring another scattergun. Thanks everyone for the input...If I cave in and buy it I will post some more particulars....
Eric

Eric,
The shotgun in question is a Marlin Model 90.
Marlin started production of the gun in 1937, and discontinued it in 1958, with an interruption of production during WWII.
Pre-WWII guns were produced with double triggers, and had full-length ribs soldered between the barrels. Single, non-selective triggers were optional. The 30" barrels came in Improved/Modified, and Modified/Full chokes. The hand-checkered American walnut stocks were fitted with a recoil pad.
When production resumed in 1949, two Model 90's were offered. The DT had double triggers, no rib between the barrels, and no recoil pad. The ST had a single, non-selective trigger, no rib between the barrels, and no recoil pad. Both were discontinued in 1958.
I own a pre-war Model 90 in 12-gauge. As I recall, the Model 90's were never produced with a blued finish, all were browned. A ventilated rib was never offered from the factory, either. I imagine the shotgun you are interested in had the vent rib installed and a bluing job, along with the engraving you mentioned, by a gunsmith somewhere along the line...
Prices for the pre-war 90's range from about $350 to $200. Post-war DT's go for $350 to $200, and the ST's bring $450 to $300.
I find the 90 a very nice pointing, albeit heavy shotgun. Parts, though, are scarce, and mine has weak firing pin springs... Sometimes, the round doesn't fire because the pin just doesn't hit the primer hard enough. Mine, also has tens of thousands of rounds through it. It was originally owned by an uncle of mine, an avid hunter and trap-shooter. I carried it in the field myself as a teenager, and got my first pheasant with it. I take it out every now and then for fun, but do most of my shotgunning with a Remington 1100.
Regards, George.