In 1870, John M. Marlin hung out his sign on State Street, in New Haven, announcing the manufacturing his own line of revolvers and derringers. He was able to attract an outstanding team of inventors, and together developed breakthrough and enduring models, such as Models 1891 and 1893. Today known as Models 39 and 336 respectively, they are the oldest shoulder arm designs in the world still being produced.  

When John Marlin died in 1901, his two sons took over the business and began a diversification program. In 1915, during World War I, a New York syndicate bought the company and renamed it the Marlin Rockwell Corporation. Marlin became one of the largest machine gun producers in the world for the US and its Allies. After the War, the sporting firearms part of the business became a new corporation. It staggered until 1923, when it went on the auction block, selling to a lawyer named Frank Kenna. The company remained in the Kenna family until 2007 when it was sold to Remington Arms. 

The company John Marlin founded still remains dedicated to his original principles. Marlin products continue to be dependable and long-lasting products.