The Levermatic differed from the traditional lever-action rifles, such as the Marlin 39A, in that it employed a cam-and-roller system giving it an extremely smooth and short lever motion to reload a new cartridge.
This cam-and-roller system was originally invented by Kessler Arms Company for their "Lever-Matic" shotgun.
Following Kessler's dissolution, Marlin licensed the idea and began producing rifles using a similar design.
The firearm may not have a serial or production number as long guns were not required to have a serial numbers prior to the 1968 Gun Control Act, which went into effect January 1, 1969.
The Levermatic system was used in the following rifle models: Marlin had also planned to produce the Levermatic in .357 Magnum and .22 Remington Jet offered in the Marlin model 62.