54 http://www.riflemagazine.com Rifle 305
the .22 rimfire. In 1956, Marlin un-
veiled the first rifle in the series
that was to become known as the
Marlin Levermatic and released it
into a market that was decidedly
of two minds.
The 1950s saw the emergence
of two distinct trends that greatly
influenced gun design and sales.
The first was the wave of TV west-
erns that turned the Colt Peace-
maker and the Winchester lever
action into American icons. When
Colt did not resume manufacture
of the Peacemaker after 1945, Wil-
liam Ruger stepped in, introduced
his single-action Blackhawk and
created a firearms dynasty. Colt
later brought back the single ac-
tion (1956), and it has remained
in production. In the field of lever
actions, both the Winchester 94
and the Marlin 336 sailed blithely
along in a wide variety of models
and different chamberings.
The second trend of the 1950s,
however, was diametrically op-
posed to western romance and
tradition. This was a headlong
rush to be “modern” not only in
design but in appearance and the
use of “space age” materials. The
Savage 99 was seen as the modern
ideal – somewhat ironically, since
it had been around just as long as
the Winchester 94, and longer than
the Marlin 336.
The Model 94 and Model 336
were seen as hold-overs, however,
while the Model 99 was a forerun-
ner. Instead of an external ham-
mer, it had a striker and a safety
that locked both the lever and fir-
ing pin. Its lines were curved and
streamlined, and a scope could
be mounted low over the action.
With its box magazine, modern
cartridges like the .243, .308, and
later the .284 Winchester, it could
be loaded to high velocity with
modern spitzer bullets.
This trend brought forth theWinchester Model 88 and the sel-
dom-seen Sako Finnwolf, as so-
called “modern” lever actions.
Marlin was anxious to get in on
this trend, and the Levermatics
were its ticket to do so.
The first was the Model 56 an-
nounced in 1955. It had a one-piece
stock of American walnut with a
pistol grip and Monte Carlo comb.
It came with a seven-round mag-
azine, but 10- and 12-round ver-
sions were also available. Its solid
receiver and side ejection begged
for a scope, and its lines overall
were sleek and seductive. The key
feature was its short-throw lever
action. According to Marlin’s ad-
vertising, the lever was “lightning
fast” and functioned with only 2
inches of movement compared to
the normal 6 inches of conven-
tional levers (25 degrees versus
90). This meant it could be manip-
ulated comfortably while keeping
your hand on the grip and flexing
your fingers.
The Marlin Model 56 was well
received, and the Levermatic line
embarked on a 15-year career
that saw an estimated 150,000
rifles produced in a dozen differ-
ent models and variations, and six
or eight calibers (depending how
you count) in both rimfire and cen-
terfire.
Aside from adapting the orig-
inal design to centerfire in 1962,
major variations included the use
of both steel and alloy receivers.
Some of these were curved at theAmmunition for the .256 Winchester
Magnum was made only by Winchester,
but under both the Winchester-Western
and Super-X brands. At various times,
it was offered with spitzer, roundnose,
and hollowpoint bullets, all 60 grains.
This Model 62 .256 Winchester
Magnum is equipped with a
custom-made Leupold 3x scope
mount in the fashion of the
1960s. It also features a vintage
George Lawrence leather sling.
With graceful lines, nice
wood, good steel and fine
workmanship, Levermatics are
rifles from another era.
Coming Up Short