Marlin Model 444S .444 Marlin Lever-Action Rifle, 22 in Blued, JM-Stamped, 1981 North Haven, Pre–Cross-Bolt Safety
This 1981 Marlin Model 444S is a North Haven-made, JM-stamped lever-action chambered in .444 Marlin. It features a 22 inch round blued steel barrel, pre–cross-bolt safety configuration, and side ejection with a right-side loading gate. The rifle is in excellent overall condition and includes paperwork, with Weaver-style two-piece scope bases installed.
Condition
Overall Condition: Excellent condition, showing only faint signs of any prior use or handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Fouling: Mild Fouling - Light buildup of fouling or dirt.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This rifle is in absolutely impeccable shape and has been extremely well cared for.
What’s Included
- Paperwork
- Two-piece Weaver-style scope bases (installed)
Produced in 1981 at Marlin's North Haven facility, this Model 444S carries the JM stamp on the barrel shank and retains the pre–cross-bolt safety layout favored by many traditionalists. The receiver is blued steel and drilled and tapped at the factory, and it pairs with a bright in-the-white bolt and a standard-size lever loop for a classic Marlin profile.
The 22 inch round blued barrel uses Marlin's micro-groove rifling for the .444 Marlin chambering. Sighting is straightforward and practical, with a ramped front sight and an adjustable rear semi-buckhorn on a stepped elevator. Feeding is through a right-side loading gate to a partial-length tubular magazine with a stated 4-round capacity, and a half-cock notch serves as the safety feature.
The hardwood pistol-grip stock wears a gloss finish and includes white-line spacers, a black grip cap, and a Marlin logo recoil pad. The gold-tone trigger and front sling swivel stud (no rear stud installed) round out the field-ready configuration, while the 13.75 inch length of pull provides a comfortable, balanced fit.
A functional upgrade is already in place: Weaver-style two-piece scope bases (installed). Combined with side ejection and a drilled-and-tapped receiver, these details make mounting options straightforward while preserving the rifle's clean lines and classic handling.