The growing popularity of the Marlin lever-action series of rifles in their various iterations that include small game rifles, medium game rifles, low-velocity Cowboy Action plinkers and intense dangerous-game rifles, has spawned a secondary market of suppliers for sights, scopes and stocks. Treebone Carving offers Cowboy conversion stocks for straight or pistol grip Marlin 336, 95, 39 and 1897 models. Ninety percent inletted stocks for straight grip rifles are $100 and pistol grip versions are $130, new buttplate included. For an extra $20, Treebone will reshape your clubby factory forearm to the slim 1893-style Marlin, which makes the gun much more lively. The Treebone pistol grip version copies the original Marlin and Ballard grip with the gentle S-curve. A shotgun plate is also available.

The stocks are not drilled for the tang bolt, so these are not "drop-in" stocks, but a skilled hobbyist will achieve a much closer wood-to-metal fit than is available from the factory. The buttplate is drilled and counter-sunk for its screws. Wood upgrades from standard to special select are available in American, Claro, English and French walnut as well as Eastern fiddleback and Bigleaf maples. Contact Treebone Carving, Dept. RS, P.O. Box 495, Priest River, ID 83856, 208/448-1735, treebone@earthlink.net.