Marlin Model 30 Golden 50 .30-30 Lever-Action Rifle – 1971 OTASCO 50th Anniversary Commemorative, JM Stamped
Produced in 1971 to celebrate OTASCO’s 50th anniversary, this limited-run Marlin Model 30 Golden 50 lever-action rifle combines collectible scarcity—only about 1,900 were made—with the proven Marlin 336 action. It features a 20-inch Micro-Groove barrel, side ejection, and a gold-wash trigger, all backed by a JM-stamped North Haven pedigree. For collectors and hunters alike, it offers classic .30-30 performance in a commemorative package that rarely surfaces on the market.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good – Shows some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks; mild fouling present.
Rifling: Good – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
External metal surfaces display scattered pitting and finish wear consistent with field carry, yet the action cycles smoothly and the rifle functions properly.
What’s Included
- Two-piece Weaver-style scope bases (installed)
Marlin built the Golden 50 on the same solid, side-ejecting receiver as the lauded Model 336, giving it reliable operation and easy scope mounting—hence the factory-drilled receiver now fitted with Weaver bases.
The 20-inch carbon-steel barrel uses Marlin’s Micro-Groove rifling to maximize accuracy with modern .30-30 loads. A folding semi-buckhorn rear sight pairs with a ramped front blade (hood removed) for quick target acquisition when shooting irons.
Distinctive touches set the commemorative apart: a gold-wash trigger, special roll-marks, and a birch hardwood stock and forend with pressed checkering. The 13.5-inch length of pull and full-size profile make the rifle comfortable for most shooters.
This example bears the desirable JM proof mark, confirming manufacture at Marlin’s North Haven, Connecticut facility. With approximately 1,900 produced, the Golden 50 is considered both rare and collectible—yet it remains a fully functional hunting rifle with a six-round tubular magazine.