It is SN 34221 in .22RF , 26" 1/2 Oct., 0.775 just ahead of tulip, 0.625 at muzzle, scalloped receiver. 

Charles

There ya go, a 3PG !

It is a grey gun but I make it a point to take it out annually and run a box of .22LR  through it. Luckily it is a very late gun (designed for Long Rifle) and will shoot soda can accuracy at 50 yds even though the bore looks similar to the outside. Back in the early 1990's it walked through a small show in Wisconsin and no one else was interested (I was feigning disinterest) and paid $390 ($650 in 2016 dollars) which was relatively high at the time but it was to cute to pass up and I was afraid they were going to walk.

Charles

I've owned a couple #3F's and still have a nice one. But I never have had the opportunity to find or purchase a #3PG.

Redsetter wrote on Jun 5^th, 2016 at 8:25pm:


Yes, in standard configuration the buttplate is the only difference. The 3F often came ordered with special sights, checkering on the buttstock, and occasionally forearm too; and occasionally upgraded wood. 
LR ammo almost always fits in guns chambered for .22 Long.

It's just a term I use to describe a gun that has no/little finish but functions properly. Or think of grey guns as those in a condition that "high end collectors" would not have interest in. Not like a "grey market" tractor which is a knock off.

Here's another "grey gun," and evidence, probably, that someone else disliked prong buttplates as much as I. It's a #3 "something"--.22LR, with matching barrel & receiver, but not, alas, stocks.  However, Marlin did make special order PG 3s with SG plates, as there's one in Dutcher's book. Even had I been able to find another one of those, it's doubtful I could have paid the tariff, nor would I feel comfortable about hunting with it, as I have with this one, extensively.  Another oddity: forged action, rather than cast.

I added the stud for sling hooks, same kind listed in both Winchester & Stevens catalogs, because a hunting rifle without a sling is as much of a nuisance as a buttplate with horns.

PS--The lever doesn't droop, it breeches so tightly after being relined that I leave it in this position to minimize strain on the link.

marlinguy wrote on Jun 6^th, 2016 at 6:43pm:


Disliked being jabbed in the arm or chest, or seeing guns leaned up against something topple over? 

I need to make a buying trip to the Old Country.   

I agree,
I have a sweet tooth and just love the look of a DST, pronged butt,
schuetzen rifle. Strictly built for target, not stalking or hunting.
I can appreciate not being jabbed by prongs, I really like them all, even starting to appreciate military rollers.
Aaron

"I need to make a buying trip to the Old Country."

Dave Crossno has the pattern for the #3PG, he duplicated my #3PG butt stock. He can make you stock no problem. He also has an extensive selection of other Ballard stock patterns.

One thing only I dislike about so-called SG plates: that ridiculously inapt terminology, which (probably owing to the contrast with Kentucky rifle design) is unique to this country, I suspect.  What are they called in Britain?  Yes, fowling pieces had broad flat plates, but so did all military muskets, so did the Baker rifle, so did US rifles up until the time of the 1858 rifle-musket, when a slight curve was added to the plate that continued (probably for reasons chiefly of economy) through the trap-door era; but that aberration ended with the Krag.   

I have a 3 pg also mine is sn-36516 and I think its just one number off of the one in dutchers book a friend said he would help me post some pictures ,I am trying to figure out how many of these are out there? yours is the only one I have seen other than mine.i hope to get them out within 30 days.