[riverwatcher]

I have a Marlin mod.30tk with all identifying marks except it has a stainless barrel with a blued mag. tube. ser.#11077255.. can anyone provide info on this. Thanks

 

[CaptainGyro]

Welcome to the forum.

I can't find any evidence that Marlin ever manufactured, or K-Mart ever sold, a Model 30tk with a stainless barrel. It sounds like the barrel has been replaced. A little more info is in order...for instance, what is the legend stamped or engraved on the barrel? Does is seem to match the rest of the rifle?

Pictures would help.

 

[SpecialEd]

riverwatcher,

First, WELCOME ABOARD. - You have found what I consider to be THE best gun forum on "the Worldwideweird".
(This forum has MANY real experts on numerous subjects related to firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, etc. but I am NOT one of them.)

The Marlin 30TK is a "contract rifle" made expressly for K-MART stores, just as Marlin made rifles that were contracted for sale at Montgomery Wards, SEARS, OTASCO, FEDWAY & probably other large retailers..

I seriously doubt that ANY such .30-30 carbines were every made that way BUT it's entirely possible that someone may have changed out the barrel for a SS one.

yours, sw

 

[riverwatcher]

thanks for the welcome!
I assume you're talking about the script on the barrel. it has the JM in a circle just before the receiver and says The Marlin firearms Co. North Haven CT. usa
Mod. 30 TK Micro groove barrel cal 30-30 has the shorter 18" barrel and mag. tube. I have an inquiry in to Marlin also but haven't heard back. also has the lighter wood (birch I think) Gun is in excellent condition for the age.
Working on pictures
Thanks

 

[bearcat6]

Are you sure it is stainless?

 

[riverwatcher]

Bearcat6: I was considering that too. I took the forearm wood off just to check and its nice shiny stainless under there, I thought that maybe someone just took the blue off and polished the barrel. Although an unprotected barrel wouldn't last long I don't think and this thing has zero rust...
I'm stumped...it has the JM stamp, so either someone bought a barrel from Marlin and changed it or sent it to Marlin and they changed it.

 

[riverwatcher]

pictures are up

 

[riverwatcher]

Total mystery huh?

 

[riverwatcher]

my next test after the magnet test is to buy a bottle of cold blue and put just a small dab on the barrel, I've been told that stainless will not accept blueing.

 

[bearcat6]

my next test after the magnet test is to buy a bottle of cold blue and put just a small dab on the barrel, I've been told that stainless will not accept blueing.

Let us know how that works out. I really doubt it's stainless, I could be wrong, I am very curious.

 

[SpecialEd]

riverwatcher,

Most ANYTHING may have been built year ago in a firearm by one of the gunmakers. = My little brother has a "lettered" HYBRID of a Model 12 & 97 Winchester pump shotgun, that was made for a "Mississippi Road Camp" (Read: Chain-gang prison camp) in the mid-1930s.
That shotgun has the receiver & buttstock of a Model 12 & the "front end" of a Model 1897 pump & YES it was "ordered" that way.

yours, sw

 

[riverwatcher]

went to a gun show yesterday with the mod. 30. drew lots of attention (and offers) however, after finding that the barrel took to the cold bluing like flea to a dog, i'm pretty convinced that someone removed the old bluing and polished the barrel...did a bang up job though, removed the forearm wood and got all in there good...so, its not a one of a kind like I was hoping, just a one of many. still a sweet little rifle.
thanks to everyone that had input.

 

[M118LR]

You made me look. The wife once worked at K-mart, (somewhere near 35 years ago) and sure enough MOD. 30TK MICRO-GROOVE BARREL CAL. 30/30 WIN JM but not circled. 18 1/2 inch barrel. 11092xxx serial, so mine must be a bit newer than yours.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[maradaboats16]

Are you interested in selling your Marlin??