Have one just like it, but mine isn't in as good shape. You are right about the "solid" part. Neat little gun. Not a gold plated showpiece, but a workhorse.
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I kind of agree with Bioshock on this one. If the kid is on the floor (albeit out of photographic range), then stand back and wait---with your gun of course. Don't walk around, and them come back up to him and shoot. I'm not one to say that I wouldn't be in a bit of a shock as well...
My 11 year old son and I just bought a Marlin 81 DL from a guy on ODT (super dude. Thanks). Anyway.......we are trying to identify the year of the gun. There are no serial #'s that we could find (therefore pre 1968?). It is a bolt action with a tube feed. Guard around trigger appears to be...