Marlin Golden 39A has New Home

VaTom · #1 10-05-2017, 09:59 AM

Last week I posted a thread requesting information to help me decide to make a purchase. Thanks for all your help! I bought the 1957-1958 vintage (R code) Marlin Golden 39A last night at a local estate auction. Unbelievable condition for a 60 year rifle. Original box(what was left of it) was not salvageable except for for top and end label. Had all original papers and as extra bonus the scope base plate from the factory. Only loss of bluing is small area at muzzle. Spent last night cleaning it as it look to have been stored away for many years. Does not appear to have been shot much and never broken down. Winning bid was $532 (buyers premium included on a bid of $475) More than what I intended to pay but think I came out OK on a fine firearm.

epj · #2 10-05-2017, 10:40 AM

I have one a few years older and shows some use. Quite a bit of use actually. I’d not even think of parting with it at that price. I think you did quite well.

Erich · #3 10-05-2017, 10:59 AM

Dang, you're not going to regret that buy. Nice - enjoy!

Jebus35745 · #4 10-05-2017, 12:53 PM

Nice gun, accurate and fun to shoot. You did OK on the price, they were starting to sell for over 700 on nice ones. Enjoy your new toy, I found one made in 1948 with Ballard rifling. Takes me back to my youth when I had a lever action cap gun. Larry

TIMETRIPPER · #5 10-05-2017, 01:39 PM

You did good at that price. Now take it afield and try not to have too much fun.

John

ky wonder · #6 10-05-2017, 01:43 PM

congrats on your 39a, beware they are habit forming

Geronimo Jim · #7 10-05-2017, 01:52 PM

Great gun and great deal. Just like mine!

JH1951 · #8 10-05-2017, 02:03 PM

Very nice! I would have jumped on it at that price as well.
Congratulations!

irapollock · #9 10-05-2017, 03:22 PM

Congrats on a really nice rifle, I think you did well at that price. I think one
of the bonus features of that vintage is that they were drilled and taped for
Lyman and Williams receiver sights.
Have fun

chief38 · #10 10-05-2017, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaTom

Last week I posted a thread requesting information to help me decide to make a purchase. Thanks for all your help! I bought the 1957-1958 vintage (R code) Marlin Golden 39A last night at a local estate auction. Unbelievable condition for a 60 year rifle. Original box(what was left of it) was not salvageable except for for top and end label. Had all original papers and as extra bonus the scope base plate from the factory. Only loss of bluing is small area at muzzle. Spent last night cleaning it as it look to have been stored away for many years. Does not appear to have been shot much and never broken down. Winning bid was $532 (buyers premium included on a bid of $475) More than what I intended to pay but think I came out OK on a fine firearm.

For a vintage 39A of that era and in that shape you are just shy of stealing it! The accouterments add a nice touch as well. That is one you will never regret buying and will enjoy shooting.

I find that mine will shoot very well with just about any 40 grain high velocity ammo including the cheap stuff.

ankona · #11 10-05-2017, 06:36 PM

I also agree that you did not overpay. The older Marlin's keep climbing in price. You did good. Plus lever guns are just so much fun to shoot.

revho · #12 10-05-2017, 09:33 PM

I think I was pretty spot on with my $500-$600 range I said I would have paid for it.

That pretty, I might have went $700.

Great purchase and congratulations.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chief38 · #13 10-06-2017, 02:43 AM

I hope Marlin (Remlin) sees this thread and figures out how to make these great rifles once again. What they produce today is only a shadow of what they did yesteryear.

fat tom · #14 10-06-2017, 08:04 AM

My all-time favorite lever action .22 lr. I bought my first one used at a Western Auto store for $35. Carried it home on my bike right down Main Street. That was a few years ago. Still have it. You will never regret that purchase!
f.t.

Bayou52 · #15 10-06-2017, 08:53 AM

Good buy!

I was given a Golden 39A Mountie by a deceased friend. It is by far my most prized 22, and a fine shooter.

BTW, in your second photo, above the sling attachment on the rear stock, you will see an empty drilled hole. In case you were unaware, this hole was filled by Marlin's trademark bullseye plug. They were glued in, so it may have fallen out. In fact, mine fell out one day at the range, but I saw it and glued it back in.

Replacements are available. See, for example:

Marlin Bullseye Stock Inlay Polymer Black White - MPN: F406445

Congrats!

VaTom · #16 10-06-2017, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayou52

Good buy!

I was given a Golden 39A Mountie by a deceased friend. It is by far my most prized 22, and a fine shooter.

BTW, in your second photo, above the sling attachment on the rear stock, you will see an empty drilled hole. In case you were unaware, this hole was filled by Marlin's trademark bullseye plug. They were glued in, so it may have fallen out. In fact, mine fell out one day at the range, but I saw it and glued it back in.

Marlin Bullseye Stock Inlay Polymer Black White - MPN: F406445

Congrats!

Thanks-I meant to ask about that as it looked like it was factory drilled hole. I am also missing the screws for the scope base. The screw plugs on the top of the receiver are there but the longer ones for the scope base weren't in the envelope with it. Took it to range today. What a fine firearm. Operated flawlessly and very, very accurate with that 24" barrel.

rog8732 · #17 10-06-2017, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayou52

Good buy!

I was given a Golden 39A Mountie by a deceased friend. It is by far my most prized 22, and a fine shooter.

BTW, in your second photo, above the sling attachment on the rear stock, you will see an empty drilled hole. In case you were unaware, this hole was filled by Marlin's trademark bullseye plug. They were glued in, so it may have fallen out. In fact, mine fell out one day at the range, but I saw it and glued it back in.

Replacements are available. See, for example:

Marlin Bullseye Stock Inlay Polymer Black White - MPN: F406445

Congrats!

Bayou52; Good eye !... I spotted that missing "bullseye" my self and was going to make a comment about another little factor involving it.
Supposedly, (?) the Marlin stocks with the bullseye, like Tom's 39A, indicate a walnut stock,instead of the birch and other softwoods Marlin used on some of it's rifles, though I expect all the older 39A rifles had walnut.
Marlin did not seem to put the concentration on the wood that some others did; for instance Browning, or even the earlier Remington.

You got a .22 rifle for a lifetime of use VaTom. That can't be said of all things these days.

billwill · #18 10-06-2017, 10:28 PM

You have a good one there. I think most of the bullseye plugs fall out at one time or
another. Just be sure to glue your new one in.

A keeper for years to come. Enjoy

VaTom · #19 10-07-2017, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rog8732

Bayou52; Good eye !... I spotted that missing "bullseye" my self and was going to make a comment about another little factor involving it.
Supposedly, (?) the Marlin stocks with the bullseye, like Tom's 39A, indicate a walnut stock,instead of the birch and other softwoods Marlin used on some of it's rifles, though I expect all the older 39A rifles had walnut.
Marlin did not seem to put the concentration on the wood that some others did; for instance Browning, or even the earlier Remington.

You got a .22 rifle for a lifetime of use VaTom. That can't be said of all things these days.

The original manual with the rifle says "Buttstock and forearm made of finest quality seasoned walnut."

Weight listed in manual is 6 1/2 lbs. Feels like a much bigger caliber rifle. Somewhat like a S&W model 18 revolver. A .22 built on a larger caliber frame.

Like the looks of the hooded front sight but easier for me to see the front gold bead with it removed. Glad I came across this rifle while checking a local auction estate auction listing. The only firearm in the two day auction which included a massive collection of high end antique clocks and lamps. Still some hidden treasures out there!

SuperMan · #20 10-07-2017, 08:50 AM

Beautiful find!!!

My first .22 rifle was one exactly like that probably made in the early 1960s...they are unbelievably accurate. Sold it when I went to college thinking I would not need it any more...

Have had one more like that, several Mounties, Commemoratives and several Carbines...ended up keeping a customized Carbine made in 1964 as they balance best for me...

Enjoy the rifle...Bob

rog8732 · #21 10-07-2017, 09:23 PM

Seems the Stevens "crack shot"; once the first .22 of many a youth, may have been displaced by the Marlin Golden 39A,... at least amongst us young "whipper-snappers", just barely into our seventies and eighties.

stonehorses · #22 10-07-2017, 09:51 PM

Good thing Mr. Stonehorses didn't see that one......

The Norseman · #23 10-08-2017, 09:27 AM

Great Iconic 22lr Rifle. Great buy.

Thank you for the great short story and
pictures.

I, myself have a Marlin 39A Trapper Model
and a Winchester Model 9422 Tapper, all with
box, tags, and paperwork. Both are very
accurate on target.

When it comes time to pick a 22lr from my
Library, I usually pick the Marlin Trapper. I
just like it.

Congratulations on your purchase of a Great
Marlin Rifle.

HOUSTON RICK · #24 10-08-2017, 08:19 PM

Congratulations, that was 25% of the best price that I ever saw one for when I was looking.