Just a quick update and thanks for your advice.

Bought a great looking Marlin. The serial number places it as a 1976 model - significant (maybe?) because it doesn't have a safety. I dont' know if that's a good or bad thing. Doesn't bother me because I don't know If I'd trust a safety with the hammer pulled full back anyway - I'd probably use the middle position as safety anyway.

Ironic part was I went and found a little bore light like recommended, but somehow the thing was turned on in the pocket of my jacket overnight and was dead when I needed it! I used a little led light I had and the bore looked OK, but really the gun looked virtually unused and I'm pretty confident the bore will not be an issue.

Anyway, the barrel and action and act look virtually unused - bluing with virtually no blemishes or wear marks. The stock is beautiful, except there's some scuff marks on the butt. No cracks or structural defects.

I'm happy. Now, I gotta find a good quality scope (I've decided on a fixed good quality scope).

I'll be posting some other questions in different forums, but I wanted to say thanks again and report on success.