NOTE: this is an example of a previous customer restoration, and therefore the firearm is not for sale. Please browse the showroom for our current selection of restored, pre-owned and refinished firearms that are for sale, as well as other collections. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to be among the first to learn about new additions to our website.

Restoring a Marlin Model 97 from 1907: A Rimfire Classic Brought Back to Life

When this Marlin Model 97 left the factory in 1907, America was on the cusp of modern change. Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House, the first Model T was just around the corner, and the Boy Scouts of America would soon be founded. Yet for all the big headlines of the era, everyday life was grounded in simpler rhythms—farming, hunting, and family. And tucked into barns, behind kitchen doors, or slung across saddles was the humble .22 rimfire rifle, a tool as common and as necessary as a pocketknife.

The Marlin Model 97, with its sleek lever-action and handy takedown feature, was one of the most popular choices of the day. It wasn’t a rifle meant for the spotlight of dime novels or Wild West shows—it was the rifle of everyday Americans. It taught farm kids their first lessons in marksmanship, guarded kitchen gardens from varmints, and put rabbits and squirrels in countless cast-iron skillets. In many ways, it’s a firearm that quietly shaped America’s sporting culture.

This featured example, built in 1907 with a 24-inch barrel, came to us showing every bit of its 116 years. Time had taken its toll on both wood and metal, and a careful, respectful restoration was in order. What follows is both the story of the work we performed, and a nod to the world this rifle once inhabited.

Gunsmithing the Heart of the Rifle

The restoration began the way all of ours do: a full disassembly, cleaning, and inspection. The decades had not been kind, but Marlin’s design endured. Simple, strong, and worthy of revival.

A new finger lever spring was fitted, breathing life back into the rifle’s iconic lever action. The barrel, too far gone to be preserved, was replaced with a new tube properly fit to the action. Screws were repaired or replaced as needed, and once every piece was brought back into harmony, the rifle was carefully reassembled and inspected to ensure function was as smooth as it had been when it first left the factory. But we’ve gotten ahead of ourselves…

Metal Preparation & Finishing

Restoration is as much about honoring the past as it is about craftsmanship in the present. Every part was polished back to a period-correct finish, including the original magazine tube, which was carefully brought back to its rightful appearance.

With surfaces prepared, we moved on to finishing. The receiver, lever, and hammer were given new life through bone charcoal color case hardening. Those swirling blues, purples, and grays not only protect but also signify the look of the era. The bolt, sights, screws, and small parts received our period-accurate carbona charcoal blue, a deep, lustrous finish that has been a Turnbull hallmark for years. The new barrel and original magazine tube were both rust blued, bringing them back with a period-appropriate sheen and durability that matches the rifle’s 1907 heritage.

Stock and Forend: American Walnut Reborn

The woodwork was every bit as important as the metal. A new straight-grip buttstock was turned from field grade American walnut and fitted with a proper spurred hard rubber buttplate. The forend was likewise crafted anew, cut to fit the octagon barrel channel and properly fitted to the action.

To finish, both stock and forend were given a hand-rubbed oil treatment in period-correct shading. The result is a finish that looks as though it could have left the Marlin factory in 1907, yet bears the subtle signature of our shop’s attention to detail.

Carrying History Forward

As we look at the restored rifle today, it’s impossible not to reflect on its role in early 20th-century America. In 1907, a rifle like this might have been the prized possession of a farm boy saving his pennies, or a tool passed between father and son. It could have been carried along a fence line to dispatch pests, or brought to a Sunday afternoon plinking contest at the local quarry.

The Marlin 97 was never a famous gun in the hands of outlaws or lawmen. The 97 was something even better. It was the rifle of everyday Americans, built to work hard, shoot straight, and last long enough to pass from one generation to the next.

That’s why our work is more than just metal polish and wood shaping. When we restore a rifle like this, we’re not only reviving its finish and function. We’re honoring its place in American life and ensuring that its stories remain alive and tangible for future generations. Through restoration, this 1907 Marlin 97 once again embodies both the craftsmanship of its makers and the memories of those who carried it.

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