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I have an opportunity to trade for an old Marlin trapper gun (carbine?). 40+ years old, 90% blue, and has been refinished with "blonde" wood now. Being careful on this one but I only have about $175 in the Taurus revolver he wants from me. Would you???

I would in a heart beat.
But then I really want one of the trappers.
Still think it a good deal.

I would happily pay $200+ cash for a Marlin 30-30 in working condition, so YES!

Absolutely YES.

I traded an old, very worn out Uberti .44 Mag single action for a Winchester 94 Trapper in 30/30, that was the best trade I ever made.

Make the trade, don't look back. You will appreciate your fine lever gun afterwards.

JLaw

I have a marlin 1894 .44. Trust me, get it now :)

at 90% blue for a pre-1970 Marlin, I would trade anything off the Taurus line...but I'm not a Taurus fan either. If that gun is in fact in 90%, smooth internals, and bright bore with clean rifling, I would say it's worth a bottom of $300. The really good "old" ones are worth more than the newer ones quite often.

Turns out it's a Marlin Glenfield 30A with a birch stock and forearm. I was figuring on a 336. Still a decent trade I think. Probably a "homemade" trapper that someone sawed off at some point. He's bringing it by today.

hhhmmmm...if it's not a 336, 336sc, 336w, or other higher end of the line, I might not bite.

Ok, so am I sitting on something valuable and not even aware of it? I have a Marlin 30-30 in almost perfect condition that my grandfather left to me. According to me dad, it's older than him, so probably 60 years or more. The thing was cleaned and conditioned very regularly, and the action is flawlessly smooth. Right now it's just sitting in a regular padded case. I didn't think it had much more than sentimental value.

A working 30-30 is worth at least a couple hundred dollars as a shooter. Older guns may be worth more to collectors depending on condition and modifications. You should check the blue book to see what your grandfather's rifle is worth on the market even if you don't plan to sell it.

Update - I made the trade. Like I said - it's a Marlin Glenfield model 30A built in 1972. He refinished it and left it lighter than the original, but did a fairly decent job. Action is smooth and bore is clean and bright. It was tapped for a scope but now that's gone - need to find some screws to fill the holes in or re-scope it. He gave me two full boxes of Winchester 150 gr. ammo with it, and it has a Saddle Mate sling. Not bad really for a total investment of $175.

Bottom line - I didn't need the Taurus, but the 30-30 should come in handy down at the farm near Athens when I come across a hog or coyote that requires my attention. I don't really deer hunt anymore but now in case I get asked, I don't have an excuse to say no. We see lots of deer at our place and I doubt I will shoot any there, but that could change if the economy REALLY goes south.