Rossi Rifleman

Growing up my dad used to tell me about his old model 1893 Marlin rifle in 30/30 which he kept onboard his boat to plink at flying fish when he was bored. He went off to fight in WWII and when he returned it was nowhere to be found. I always had the desire to surprise my dad and buy him a Marlin 30/30 with a square bolt. 1893s where impossible to find at a price I could afford but finally I did find a square bolt model 36 of 1947 vintage for $ 265.00 which I thought was a fair price. I ordered it and was going to surprise my dad with it but it was not to be. My dad suddenly passed away 2 days before it arrived. I wasn't sure what to do, I was in shock losing not just a father but my best friend. I was trying to decide whether to keep or sell but friends convinced me to keep it as a tribute to my dad. It has been 5 years since Dad's passing and I still miss him but his Marlin I got for him 2 days too late still reminds me of him.

I'm sorry to hear about your dad and the timing of getting a rifle to him, it is a beautiful rifle.

Neat rifles. Sad story. I'd keep it- I bet it will will remind you of things whenever you look at it, even if he never saw that particular rifle.
My dad wasn't a gun guy, but I have his Winchester single shot .410 and it sill reminds me of things even though I only remember him shooting it once.

Sad your Father didn't see the rifle. I also think it would be comforting to use it in his honor, he would be proud of it, I'm sure. That 36 is in very nice shape! DP

It is good you kept the rifle as it will remind you of him every time for the rest of your life too. What a great gift that gun would have made!

Very nice, it is to bad your Father didn't live to see it, but now you can hunt with it and it honors him. Your post reminded me that I have a Model 1936 which is the early version of yours, don't think there is any difference in them. I think the 1936 designation was only used in 1936. Anyway haven't shot mine in years, will dig it out and shoot it again.

Just because he never got to handle it doesn't mean it wasn't his. You bought it for him. I know I will never sell my grandfather's Auto 5 or my dad's 1894 no matter how hard times get. Besides, that is a beautiful old rifle. I would have paid more for it than you did.

Looks like a fine rifle to always remeber him by. and maybe pass on in your family someday.