Posted by David W on March 10, 2007, 6:23 am, in reply to "Re: Age of Gun"
Tom, The FW means that it is a Featherweight frame. These frames are supposed to be lighter in weight than a "R" framed gun. (Although some have said they have "R" framed guns that were lighter than FW guns). The difference is that the FW guns have 3 screws holdilng the sidelock plates on, 2 on one side and 1 on the other side. Whereas the "R" frame has only 1 screw. Also the shape of the sidelocks are different and smaller. The lug on the barrel that protrudes through the receiver on the FW is also smaller than on the R frame. In looking up your serial number, or any serial number, the FW or R will not be found in the listings so don't let that confuse you. The only letter prefix that you will see in the listing is "S", meaning that this is the period when Marlin Firearms took over the company and started their production of guns in 1946. So your gun is during the last year of the Hunter Arms Co. before Marlin bought them out in 1945. As noted parts from unfinished guns when Marlin took over were finished by Marlin and used the old serial numbers to complete these guns in 1945.