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Marlin has confirmed "Ranger" to be a Sears trade name and that they manufactured the gun at the request of Sears. The deal was that Marlin could also manufacture the gun under the Marlin name - which ended-up being their Model 90. Sears model numbers started with 103 (i.e. Model 103-11).
M-90's were made from 1937-59, with a break in production between 1942-46 because of WWII. Marlin has no record of serial number/production dates and total production is unknown; though it is estimated to be less than 35,000. Model 90's were made in 12, 16 and 20 gauge, as well as 410 bore and some shotgun/rifle combos.
The Ranger name was used by Sears from 1937-41, but after the war Sears changed to the trade name "JC Higgins."
Marlin has stopped repairing any M-90's, as their inventory of parts is long gone.
Should anyone want further info, drop me a private message.
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Author of "The History and Guns of Simson & Co., Suhl, Germany" www.cornellpubs.com
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