Marlin Model 39

[bamabiker]

I've told this story before but it now has a new twist.
All the time while I was growing up my father had but one gun, a Marlin Model 39 rifle.
Dad was born and raised in Walker County Alabama and loved to fish on Warrior River. We spent many vacations and weekends staying in a little rented cabin on the river.
He always brought along the rifle and it was always a thrill for my brother and I when he would get it out and let us take a few shots at turtles or snakes. We were in a slough off the big river and he always made us aware of which way we were shooting and what was behind the area we were shooting at.
My older brother has the rifle now that Mom and Dad are gone.
I went out and bought a newer Marlin 39A after Mom passed just to have one but have kept my eyes open for an older one.
I went to the AGCA show a couple of weeks ago and just a few minutes after walking in found one laying on the front of one of the tables. Asked to take a look and liked what I saw and it was reasonably priced. Asked the guy what his best price was and he took off $50 so I said sold and grab my wallet. Just as I did a guy came walking up and said dad gum it he was coming back to buy it. I told him for once I got something before it disappeared.
The stock was kind stained a lighter color and had a glossy varnish type finish along with some bumps and bruises so I decided to refinish it and used some early American Minwax stain with a couple of coats of clear satin finish. I like the look a lot better.
It has an E prefix serial number so should be from 1948. See what you think and as always pictures of your Marlins would be appreciated.

 

[4WHLDRFTN]

........

 

[Bob L]

Very nice job on an excellent find!

 

[armorer951]

Great story and memories. You have a perfect example of one of the classics in the .22 rimfire world. Marlin is one of the finest, in my opinion. Very accurate and very solid, well made rifles. Hope you enjoy it.

I actually have two old Marlins, a Golden 39A given to me as a boy in 1963, and a 39A Mountie manufactured in 1964. The older one is still wearing a Weaver 4 power scope with a "tip-on" style mount produced during the same period. My all time favorite rifle.

 

[dmthomp32]

Great story and beautiful rifle. I'm a big fan of Marlin rifles and enjoy all of their varieties. Like you, my dad had a Marlin as his only rifle (Model 25 bolt action). I imagine he traded somebody something at one point and ended up with the rifle. It probably meant little to him, but to me I was always fascinated by the few firearms he had. That example got me into collecting Marlins and I haven't looked back!

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[LoboGunLeather]

My last Model 39 rifle went to my son's house last year. He has two sons, a daughter, and 4 grandchildren, so it should see plenty of use.

Outstanding rifles by any standard.

 

[bamabiker]

My grandson turns 1 yo in a few days so this one will probably be his some day.

 

[bigmoose]

Wow. Very nice. Great job on the stock. You nailed the color and tone.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Excellent story.

I have a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 and a Marlin bolt gun (I forget the "model") in .17 HMR. No pictures but I'll get around to it!

 

[jeffrefrig]

Nice rifles, those Marlin .22s. I have a D prefix 39A, but no strap or scope. I haven't shot it in quite some time, but I get it out every couple months to wipe it down, etc. My dad & I used to shoot ground hogs in farm fields up at our camp many moons ago. Nice wood.

 

[chief38]

The older M39's are far and above the ones made in the 80's, 90's and newer ones. The quality was far superior, the fit and finish was way better, no rebounding hammer, no cross bolt safety, nicer bluing and just feels better and slicker.

I also love the Winchester 9422 as it is super slick and very high quality, but if I could only have one I'd have to go with a vintage Marlin 39A.

 

[mauser9]

Certainly seem to be the premier 22 of all times. The rugged build is so superior from that era. A super keeper and one to pass down. thanks for showing.

 

[chief38]

One of the best features of the 39A is that it is a full adult sized rifle whereas the Winchester and henry are more Carbine sized for young kids.

 

[wetdog1911]

One of the best features of the 39A is that it is a full adult sized rifle whereas the Winchester and henry are more Carbine sized for young kids.

I was most fortunate when I started looking for a vintage Marlin 39 that my neighbor had a 'pre-lawyerized' 39A rifle that I got to handle and a local pawn shop had a vintage 39M that I also got to handle. The $650 price tag put me off though. I was already going through completed auctions for both on GB, to get rough ideas on what they actually sold for.

That SxS handling showed that the 39M (Mountie), shouldered and pointed a bit more naturally for me than the rifle did and that made my decision. Even though carbine sized, it is adult carbine sized and nothing like a co-workers Henry that felt like a toy.

How I ended up with 2 (S and T prefix), on the same day is another story.

Rob

 

[Mrnurse]

most accurate .22 I own...1976DOM 39a.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Thanks for the story. Mine is only from 195#/1954. not from my father, but a an old friend.

 

[dockmurgw]

Marlins are quickly becoming my favorites. Acquired my late father in laws 336 in 30 30, and it dates to 1950 so its a waffle top. I really like the quality of the older Marlins.

 

[SuperMan]

Great story....

My first .22 rifle was a 39A Golden in 1966. Sold it when I went to college thinking I wouldn't need a .22 for a while...

Have had one other 24" Golden, four Mounties and three Carbines since...still have one of the Carbines...

I think the Carbine I kept came out of the Marlin Custom Shop that I didn't even know existed till a few years ago. The gun had been found in a closet of an older gentleman who had died and his family wanted nothing to do with guns so took it to the nearest gun shop and sold it. STUNNING AAA walnut, receiver engraved with some scroll and the owners initials and a high polish blue....

Have a good time with your new heirloom....

Bob

 

[Muley Gil]

My first lever action repeater was a new Winchester M9422. I wound up selling it and didn't get around to replacing it until the prices had shot waay up. I finally found a lever gun that I could afford, a Marlin 1870-1970 Centennial. I had lusted after that one when I saw the ads in the gun rags back in the day. I loved the crescent shaped brass butt plate, the straight grip and the octagon barrel.

The good news is that in the late '80s, the price was only $100. The bad news was that a former owner decided the scope mount wasn't secure enough with the standard screws and re-tapped the top of the receiver with 1/4-20 machine screws. It shoots just fine. I really should have the receiver welded up and re-sand blasted. That's one of those "round tu-it" chores that may or may not ever happen.

 

[SLT223]

Nice piece of wood on that.