In 1863, John Marlin left his job as a machinist and toolmaker at Colt's to open his own gun company in New Haven, CT. He began by manufacturing a line of moderately priced single shot pistols and eventually single action revolvers. During the 1870s, Marlin manufactured Ballard rifles under contract. In late 1880, John Marlin debuted the lever action repeater Marlin Model 1881, but required additional funding to produce it. In January 1881, The Marlin Fire Arms Company was formed in New Haven, CT, with Charles Daly as its first president. During 1893, Charles Daly sold his stock in the company to John Marlin, and in 1899, he passed away. John Marlin died in July, 1901.
Variants located in New Haven, CT include:
Marlin, John Mahlon, 1863-1881
Marlin Firearms Company, 1881-1915
Marlin Rockwell Corporation, 1915-1921
Marlin Firearms Company, 1921-1969
From 1969-2010 the business was located in North Haven, CT.
The Marlin Firearms Company (and variations) originally started during 1870 in New Haven, CT. For more information on models/variations manufactured after Dec. 31, 1898, please refer to the Blue Book of Gun Values. Also available online - please visit bluebookofgunvalues.com.