Marlin Firearms history

By this time, John was established as a well known craftsman and gun maker but it was not until 1875 that his company started producing rifles.

The model 1881 was the first stepping stone for John but it had its problems as well.

The model 1889 lever action rifle had corrected these weaknesses and established the lever action rifle as one of John Marlins most well known products for the next 100 plus years.

Marlin Model 1894 in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum Marlin Model Golden 39A, the longest continuously produced rifle in the world.

Marlin Model 1895 Military Repeater, 6 versions: 1895,G,GBL,GS,M,SBL. All are chambered for the 45/70 caliber except for the "M" (.450)

When John Marlin died in 1901, his two sons took over the business and began a diversification program.

In 1915 during World War I, a New York syndicate bought the company and renamed it the Marlin Rockwell Corporation.

Kenna re-introduced several of the models famous before World War I, and in 1936 established the Marlin razor blade business.

Marlin Model 60 .22LR rifle manufactured in 1982

Frank Kenna, Jr. became Chairman in 1995, and Roger’s son, Stephen Kenna, formerly Vice President of Operations and General Counsel, became President.

In December 2007 Remington Arms Company purchased Marlin.