Some parts do interchange from the older guns, BUT? No guns were made from 1942 to 1944 during WW II. Then in 1936 the model 39A appeared as a further improved version yet. After the war, the company reformed in 1922 and the model 39 emerged. The model designation for 18 was changed to just model 92 and 97 in 1905. The model 18 continued simultaneously until 1915 when the factory tooled up for military contracts for WW I. It seems that many of the early firearms companies, when they first came up with a new model, that they never envisioned improving it, then changing the model number for the newer model. The 1891 did not have any model numbers stamped on the upper tang like the following models did. These were hammer type firearms typical of the period when they were introduced. Hepburn and first introduced as the model 1891, (which had 2 series). The Marlin lever action 22 rifles were invented by L.L. (Including Models 1881, 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 18.) Note that records are chaotic as all models were numbered in a single serial number range, and numbers are often.
Marlin Lever Action Rifle Serial Numbers 1883 to 1906. Brophy, Marlin Firearms, especially pages 628-631. MARLIN COLLECTORS / DEALERS/ HISTORIANS / WRITERS OR INTERESTED GENERAL PUBLIC DO YOU WANT IMMEDIATE SERIAL NUMBER INFORMATION on your MARLIN RIFLE? YOU NOW HAVE ACCESS TO THE COMPLETE RECORD OF ALL 355,504 Marlin Firearms Records from 1881 to 1906 (Serial #4001 to serial #355504). A total of 69,100 Model 1893 rifles and 4,086 carbines were produced from 1893-1906. Model 1893 serial numbers are stamped into the bottom front end of the trigger plate the highest reported s/n to date is 448,355. Marlin did make a later Grade B model with a softer barrel specifically marketed and marked 'For Black Powder'. (Including Models 1881, 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 18.) Note that records are chaotic as all models were numbered in a single serial number range, and numbers are often duplicated, and the dates recorded.
The numbers usually did not change from catalog to catalog of different years, however the letter would. In ordering parts, the part number on the older catalogs had a number and a letter. The serial numbers did not start with 0 even for the original model, as the factory mixed serial numbers with ALL other models being made at that time.