Guys....I am about to launch into a project to customize a Marlin CB rifle in 45 Colt.......is there interest in following the project step by step?

What are you gonna do to it?

I have some interest. After trying John Kort’s 457122HP loads in my Wife’s Winchester Trapper I have been thinking of getting a Marlin in .45 Colt for close up use in the short cedar. I have used a 16” <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:pWinchester</ST1:p</st1:City> Trapper in .30-30 for quite awhile for this but I would like to try the .45 Colt round with the big bullet and my wife is rather protective of her rifle.<O:p</O:p

Guys....I am about to launch into a project to customize a Marlin CB rifle in 45 Colt.......is there interest in following the project step by step?

Yes! :D There sure is interest here.

Definite interest here!
A .45 Colt Marlin is high on my list!
Keep us posted.
WFR

Just refinished the stocks on my CBC, as well as took it completely apart for it's first inside out cleaning. Broke the firing pin a couple months ago and had a one piece unit put in, so now it's even smoother, but after thousands of cowboy rounds as well as some heavy Buffalo Bore ammo through it while deer and hog hunting, I think the factory pin held up quite well all these years.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i79/Bull3540/HPIM0412_edited.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i79/Bull3540/HPIM0452.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i79/Bull3540/HPIM0454.jpg

I also bought a Marlin in .44 mag from a pawnshop a few years back, and went through a major refinishing/rebuilding on that one, and as such was able to put a lot of non-stock items in it's internals, so if you've got any questions on that topic I will be happy to help if I can.

Please tell us a little more about the particular rifle you have picked out and what you wish to do to it; I'm all ears, err, eyes right now. :rolleyes:

What I have is a new production Marlin 1894 Cowboy limited. with a long hex barrel. I intend to strip the stock to see what the wood looks like. If it has any curl then I will refinish it. If not then I will go for new wood. The trigger is acceptable as it, fairly light and no creep....so...I am thinking that I will look at some old Marlin engraving designs and do something very similar. I am debating about color case hardening or just rebluing the receiver. The rifle has a solid blade and a buckhorn rear so that is probably ok. I have given some thought to having this converted to a take down....but I am concerned about loss of accuracy. At this point I would appreciate some ideas. My idea is to cronicle each step in the customization process.

What I have is a new production Marlin 1894 Cowboy limited. with a long hex barrel. I intend to strip the stock to see what the wood looks like. If it has any curl then I will refinish it. If not then I will go for new wood. The trigger is acceptable as it, fairly light and no creep....so...I am thinking that I will look at some old Marlin engraving designs and do something very similar. I am debating about color case hardening or just rebluing the receiver. The rifle has a solid blade and a buckhorn rear so that is probably ok. I have given some thought to having this converted to a take down....but I am concerned about loss of accuracy. At this point I would appreciate some ideas. My idea is to cronicle each step in the customization process.

If you can afford it, the color case hardening of the receiver is great for looks. You may also think about having the screws nitre blued to provide a nice contrast. Personally, I would not have it made into a take down, although I do not think if it's done right your accuracy will suffer any.
If you are going to replace the wood, check out a cresent type butt stock with either a brass or color case plate.

Having any parts reblued or case colored is always cheaper if you disassemble and prep the metal before sending it off. The smoother the better, so some time with some 900 grit wet-dry paper will help speed things up and lower your cost, if that is a factor for you.

Check out Doug Turnbull's website for examples.

Looking forward to the step by step pics. :cool:

Good advice...I have looked at Turnbulls site and also Hunter Restorations. Both do wonderful work. Do any of you guys have pictures of period engraved Marlins? It seems easy to find Winchesters but Marlins are difficult to find. I want to engrave one of those old patterns on this rifle.

Good advice...I have looked at Turnbulls site and also Hunter Restorations. Both do wonderful work. Do any of you guys have pictures of period engraved Marlins? It seems easy to find Winchesters but Marlins are difficult to find. I want to engrave one of those old patterns on this rifle.

I'd take a look at the examples included on each website.
http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/store.asp?pid=20668
http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/store.asp?pid=20671
http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/client_images/catalog19872/pages/files/1890HMR_detail4L.jpg

http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/client_images/catalog19872/pages/files/TWS_1895_Detail3.jpg

http://www.kellylaster.com/

Here's a great pic of engraving on a rifle by Kelly Laster;

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 width=700 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.sovastudios.com/laster/images/10.jpg (http://www.sovastudios.com/laster/gallery.html)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Update.

I am finishing up on a falling block rifle and expect to have it finished by he end of the month. The first step will be to break down the Marlin and remove the bluing. I will then polish the metal bringing it out to about 600 grit before starting the engraving. Disassembly will be routine, I don't intend to make any significant modifications. I did find some old pictures of period engraving on Marlins and will do a variation on those. Stay tuned.

btw I appreciate the email The plate shown here is a duck about the size of a quarter. It took me about 20 hours to engrave it by hand.