Marlin '97 .22 (s,l,lr)

The Marlin Model 1897 (commonly referred to as the Model 97 after a 1905 naming change) is a classic lever-action .22 rimfire rifle, introduced in 1897 as an improvement over the earlier Models 1891 and 1892.

Designed by L.L. Hepburn, it was Marlin's first takedown .22 lever-action (allowing easy disassembly for transport, popular during the bicycle craze era) and was chambered exclusively in .22 rimfire (.22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle). Production ran from approximately 1897 to around 1915-1922 (with some post-WWI assembly from parts), after which it evolved into the iconic Model 39.

Key features include:

A tubular magazine under the barrel

Case-hardened receiver

Options for straight or pistol-grip stocks

The octagon barrel version (often 24 inches standard, with special-order lengths like 26 or 28 inches available) was particularly popular, though round and half-octagon barrels were also offered. It featured open sights (typically Rocky Mountain buckhorn rear and blade front) and was known for reliability and accuracy with standard-velocity ammo.

These rifles are highly collectible today as precursors to the long-running Marlin Model 39 series.

24" barrel 

Magazine tube is loose in the dovetail

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