Marlin Model 81DL

[Larry D.]

So....9 days ago, I went to a yard sale and bought an SKS.
2 days ago, I went back for another SKS.
While there, we got to talking. I admit nothing, but there may have been some really good whiskey involved.....
Anywho...... a Marlin 81DL snuck into the car. The guy I drove up with wound up with a nifty 12GA too.

This 81DL is a long, tube fed, bolt action version of the venerable Glenfield. Made from 1941 to about 1964 or thereabouts.

That's about all I really know so far. Still trying to dig up info and get an idea of how old mine is.
I need a scope mount, scope, and the target peep sight that mounts to the rear portion of the receiver. If any of you are Marlin junkies with a parts stash, I could sure use some help.

[Greasemonkey]

Marlin 81dl got microgroove rifling in 1953, it was Ballard rifling prior, and no sporting weapons were made by Marlin between 1942-44.

And don't damage the bolt... that's like trying to find hens teeth if something happens to it.

[Larry D.]

This one has Ballard. Not that I know what that means exactly. But I do know Microgroove, and this doesn't have it.
The bolt seems to be in good shape, but thanks for the heads up.

[Greasemonkey]

Does it have a plastic trigger guard?

Ballard rifling is just regular rifling.. look down the SKS barrel, a Garand, 1911, any Mauser.. That would be it, just standard cut rifling.  From what I remember, Marlin carried the term Ballard, because that's how barrels were riflied on Marlins Ballard target rifles.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Pics!!

[Larry D.]

It does have a plastic trigger guard.

And as far as pictures go, I can just barely remember how to turn the laptop on everyday. I'll have to  figure out how to do it, then do it several times to get it to stick.

[Greasemonkey]

It does have a plastic trigger guard.

'52-'53.... That's what I come up with..

I have an early Marlin 80, the box magazine fed version.  The peep sight will be hard to find, GunBroker or fleabay.. or you may be able to get a Lyman or Williams type sight that would fit.

[Larry D.]

I was looking at this one to get by:

https://williamsgunsight.com/product/williams-5d-81/

Of course, I want an original eventually.
Then a vintage scope and mount.