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Marlin 39 Century Limited

U

Usmc5811

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I wasn’t looking for one, but the price was to good to pass. I haven’t seen a regular 39a let alone a 20” barrel one for this price in a good while. Unless it was heavily used. I’m not into the brass tag on the butt and the medallion on the reciever, but can live with it. To be truthful it is growing on me a little.
This rifle looks to have not been shot much. No marks on the bluing, except a tint of orange on the front site in the crevice where it’s hard to reach. The sticker is still on the forearm and only a few minor scuffs on the wood.
I’m really digging the octagon barrel. It feels lighter then my ‘54 Mountie and my ‘72 39M. I don’t believe the buckhorn sight is original, but like it much better then the ones on my other two. I haven’t shot it yet. Hopefully I’ll be able to give it a thorough cleaning Monday. But it seems to function properly and the bore looks great. Plus it has a JM stamped hammer extension, and they aren’t cheap anymore either.
From what little info I have found they were made in ‘70 and somewhere around 35k were made. So not a rare rifle but definitely not one you see everyday. If anyone has some more knowledge on the it would be greatly appreciated. Well enough of my rambling so onto the pics.
 

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Marlin 39 CL

Believe it or not, the CL is about 4 ounces lighter than the Mountie. I like shooting my CL better than the Mountie, but it’s real close. Do to my tired old eyes, I be added a skinner rear sight and a fiber optic front sight. Really nice, I like the combo.
Congrats on a Great buy!!
 
I made a major mistake with a Marlin. I got a 38/40 that was
mint. It may have never been shot. The gun had fancy grade
wood too. The thing was it had a large plaque in the stock with
inscription for the retirement of a rail road conductor from his
co-workers, name RR, years service, ect, ect. I was planning to
look for another gun in excellent shape to switch out wood. A
Rail Road collector herd about it and I ended up selling it to
him. Later I found out the presentation plate was added value
not less.
 
Be careful. I bought one of those new in the box when I got out of the Army in 1970. When I took the "Solid American Walnut" sticker off, the finish under the sticker came off with it. Still a nice rifle. The action on mine was a little stiff, but many rounds down range and repeated working the lever smoothed things up.
 
When these came out, I lusted after one, but I had no money and no job. About 22 years later, I found one in a pawn shop whose manager was found of the po-leese. It had a scope on it and the mount was secured by some 1/4-20 screws. It really buggered up the top of the receiver. I was able to get it for $100.
 
I think if I could ever find a decent 39d for a good price I would have everything I need. Give me a 20” barrel with a pistol grip stock that would be close to the perfect lever 22 rifle!!
 
That’s a very nice looking 39, and one that I don’t have.

Growing up in the 60’s and early 70’s a model 39 was all I wanted. I wore out numerous Marlin catalogs but my family didn’t have money for an expensive .22 like that and I had no income. Once I was working construction during the summers while I attended college I remember taking my first real pay check and buying a Mountie. I now own five in various configurations and have owned I don’t know how many over the years. Model 39’s and K-22’s have always been my weaknesses!
 
The buckhorn sight is probably original.
The CL had a buckhorn rear sight as standard and was different from the rear sight that the standard production guns got.
I think these rear sights on the CL were made in house. The front sight was a Marbles.

A similar set up was used on the Second Ammendment gun, but the rearsight was a Marbles as well as the front sight.
At least that's the way I recall it.


I remember those little 100th anniversary medallions being everywhere in the final assembly area.
All the guns made in '70 were supposed to get one implanted into their butt stock as well as the CL in their frame.
A simple daub of 'Walter Kidd' brand brown epoxy kept them in place, or was supposed too!.
Many would fall out after being set and then going thru assembly, range, packing, ect.

The discs were bought from a vendor by the cardboard barrel full. They decorated most everyones bench, tools, lunch bucket (remember those!).
Dropped on the floor, they were never picked up. Just swept up with any other parts so lost and deposited in the trash destined for the North.Haven landfill.
 
2152hq said:
The buckhorn sight is probably original.
The CL had a buckhorn rear sight as standard and was different from the rear sight that the standard production guns got.
I think these rear sights on the CL were made in house. The front sight was a Marbles.

A similar set up was used on the Second Ammendment gun, but the rearsight was a Marbles as well as the front sight.
At least that's the way I recall it.


I remember those little 100th anniversary medallions being everywhere in the final assembly area.
All the guns made in '70 were supposed to get one implanted into their butt stock as well as the CL in their frame.
A simple daub of 'Walter Kidd' brand brown epoxy kept them in place, or was supposed too!.
Many would fall out after being set and then going thru assembly, range, packing, ect.

The discs were bought from a vendor by the cardboard barrel full. They decorated most everyones bench, tools, lunch bucket (remember those!).
Dropped on the floor, they were never picked up. Just swept up with any other parts so lost and deposited in the trash destined for the North.Haven landfill.
Click to expand...

2152hq: that is some great knowledge, I would love to pick your brain over your years at Marlin. I have a really oddball that is a 39 1st variation receiver with a 39a ballard barrel. Not much to look at but never have I felt a more smoother action.

Muley Gil, P8riot, and stykshooter, anytime you want to shoot I’m ready. I roam between Richmond and Bath County.
 

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