the serial number 21171 would be from late 1888, the 38W stands for 38winchester also known as a 38-40 caliber. this gun will be either a late model 1888 marlin with top shell ejection, or a very early 1889 model with side ejection, also the model 1889 would be marked marlin safety on top of the reciever. in either case this is a antique black powder cartridge firearm and should not be shot with modern smokeless powder ammo, due do stronger ammo pressures and weaker steel that was used in the guns of this period.
I have Marlin Model 336RC lever action I inherieted recently... Serial number I found was under the lever.
1893
50-175 USD
You will need to provide the serial number to your Marlin model 39 lever action .22cal rifle to get a date of production.
The Marlin lever action 38w, serial number 41436 is valued at $700 in excellent condition. It is valued at $500 in fair condition.
Cannot be answered without you providing serial number.
The letter U which is a prefix to your serial number is used to date the production of your Marlin lever action rifle.In this case the letter U indicates that your rifle was made by marlin in the time frame of 1960-august of 1961.
If I understand your question correctly,you have a Marlin lever action rifle chambered in 38WCF(38-40).If that is the case,then you have a Marlin model 1889 rifle,that was made in the year 1892.
1960
1955
Contact Marlin by phone, give them your serial # and they can tell you when it was made and where.
With the serial number that you have supplied,your Marlin model 336 was made in the year 1982.