doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com 336 diet plan

I decided to give myself 3-4hrs this week after work to do a project for myself. The gun in particular was handed down through the family, not a high end piece compared to most of the stuff I do, but she see’s good use deer hunting on my property.

I’ve always been enamored by Joel Dorleacs stock shaping and style, a combination of traditional with an aggressive flair. Looking at antique Marlin Deluxe lever guns, I believe in inspiration from such. Specifically the line from the toe that runs up into the wrist and terminates on top of the wrist. I’m actually shaping up a .375 customer gun that is close, but still not as aggressive. So finally, on my own piece, I pushed my comfort zone from the subdued. I took the “deluxe” lines and pushed those boundaries.

I’ll plan to use this factory stock I’ve shaped and have it duplicated into a much nicer piece of wood, so I’m not going to bother with a fine oil finish or checkering. Maybe consider adding a cheakpiece before doing so. I’ve slimmed the forend a lot and plan to do an 1885 forend cap instead of the 336 forend band. Considering reducing mag tube length as well, engraving, and CCH.

The rather pudgy Marlin 336 stock followed by my shaped factory stock.

https://i.imgur.com/uBzzC6j.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sNMwGdu.jpg

gunmaker, I say what you've done here is exactly right. Modern Marlin and Savage lever rifles are in a dead heat for the title of Ugliest Stock Ever. I hope you'll post more photos as the project progresses.

Gunmaker,
I really like it! I’m a Marlin fan myself. For me, one of the most beautifully shaped stocks in the gun world is the deluxe pistol grip on 1893 Marlins. Yours is very similar, and as elegant. Related to the 1893 pistol grips, I also like the squared off finger lever that is found on them. To me the square Ness of the square finger lover is a great contrast to the curves of the 1893 pistol grip. Building one like that is on my dream list for the future. Thanks for sharing your work with us. I really admire it.

Larry

Very correct about the lever, I may plan something similar.

Aaron; the vintage shape you carved is just perfect. It is a stand out.

Kindest Regards;
Stephen Howell

Good luck on your project

Thank you Stephen, hope all is well in your world!

I've collected and owned a very large number of pre WWI era Marlin lever actions, and Ballard single shots for over 40 years now, and the 336 stocks have always put me off due to their bulbous crude shapes compared to early Marlins. Your newly shaped stock is as good as it gets, and really enhances the looks of the 336!
Can't wait to see what you do with the forearm! I assume it having a barrel band currently that it's a carbine. Wonder what the "1885 forend cap" looks like? Why not use a 336 rifle forend cap? Or did you maybe mean an 1886 forend cap?

Good catch. Yes, should have been 1886