Subtract the first 2 numbers of the seriaal # from 100 and you have the year made 1976
With the serial number that you provided,your Marlin model 444S was made in the year 1977.
With a finish of 85% your Marlin model 444s is valued at 200 dollars.
The C23359 is 71" x 1/2" according to some web sources. AFAIK, that's the belt that's also compatible with the 446. Seems the very early 444s had something smaller and required belt C23358, but the later 444s were bigger and 446 compatible, using C23359. This is only a best guess based on what I've gathered from various sources so far. My original manual states the part number compatibility but not the actual length. I'm going to try a generic 71" belt but seem to recall that that failed for me some decades ago. Wish me luck. I'll buy a proper Ingersoll / Case belt when time permits. Jake 20080507