Chaz, I would definitely say that it is a late 1945 gun. This was probably lying around unfinished when the company was bought out by Marlin. Since it was serial numbered already, it was assembled as being made by L.C. Smith, Hunter Arms.
Starting in 1946, under the new name of L.C. Smith Gun Company, a subsidiary of Marlin Firearms Co., the serial numbers started over again with an "S" prefix followed by FW (Featherweight) as the Regular frame was not available now.
A letter from our Records keeper will/should show when it was made and finished.
Last edited by JDW; 11/15/13 03:09 PM.
