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Marlin 39A Golden Mountie and Marlin 39A
- Thread starter opaul
- Start date
OP
I found this but I have not verified it to be accurate but it makes sense that the 39A Golden Mountie was changed at some point to 39M.
The Mountie came out in 1953 with a 24” barrel. 1954 on were 20’” barrels. The barrel was only marked 39A until 1957 when it was changed to “Golden 39A-Mountie”. The model designation was changed to 39M in 1972. The square lever came in 1975. (I have not seen a 39M with a round lever but the catalogs show them. My 1973 39M has a square lever.) Several barrel changes came in the seventies. The gas escape hole was added in 1979. The loaded magazine hole was added in 1987. In 1988 the 39TDS replaced the 39M. This is a condensed History. The Marlin book has a lot of info in it. It has always seemed to me that if the early unmarked guns were Mountie the 39M’s are also Mounties.
The Mountie came out in 1953 with a 24” barrel. 1954 on were 20’” barrels. The barrel was only marked 39A until 1957 when it was changed to “Golden 39A-Mountie”. The model designation was changed to 39M in 1972. The square lever came in 1975. (I have not seen a 39M with a round lever but the catalogs show them. My 1973 39M has a square lever.) Several barrel changes came in the seventies. The gas escape hole was added in 1979. The loaded magazine hole was added in 1987. In 1988 the 39TDS replaced the 39M. This is a condensed History. The Marlin book has a lot of info in it. It has always seemed to me that if the early unmarked guns were Mountie the 39M’s are also Mounties.
The only presentation grade I knew of was the 39 Century LTD.
I had one for a while, it was a Mountie style Centennial edition carbine with some nicer touches.
I also had an 1894 Century in .44/40. It had beautiful case coloring and engraving, and equally beautiful figured Walnut wood. Was almost too pretty to shoot, I was always afraid I'd get that first scratch on it.
I sold it thinking I'd get a plain .44/40 but they aren't very common. I've never seen another 1894 in .44/40.
It's very likely as said above that Marlin changed the model number of the Mounties over time.
Mine says "Golden Mountie" but doesn't say 39 A anywhere.
OP
That is a fine looking gun you got there and I like the photo. I also like the blacksmithing tools you got there! Do you do blacksmithing?
Here is the 90th Anniversary Presentation Model Golden 39-A Mountie.
Marlin also made a 24" pistol grip stocked 90th Anniversary Presentation Model 39-A version. Each were a limited edition of 500.
And the Marlin 39 Century Ltd.
It is not marked 39-A or 39M or Mountie, just Marlin 39 Century Ltd.
KO
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No, one of my my Aunts is a tobacco chewing, swearing, widow that raises mules, horses and Bird dogs on a 1,000 acre ranch in Montana.
She used to shoe animals when she was younger and has all the tools around the yard.
As much as I like the Marlin .22 for it's history, tradition and accuracy, I like my Winchester 9422 and Browning BL-22 just as much.
They are all quality .22 levers. The Winchester and Browning have controlled feed, both hold the cartridge against the bolt face all the way to the chamber and can be fired upside down, sideways, etc.
The Browning has a few additional perks such as the trigger moving down with the lever so you won't ever pinch your finger, the inner mag tube latches in any position (doesn't have to be lined up with a notch to close) and short 33 degree lever throw.
Just open and close your fingers to work the action, no having to take your thumb off the grip. pretty fast and less disturbance of aim.
She used to shoe animals when she was younger and has all the tools around the yard.
As much as I like the Marlin .22 for it's history, tradition and accuracy, I like my Winchester 9422 and Browning BL-22 just as much.
They are all quality .22 levers. The Winchester and Browning have controlled feed, both hold the cartridge against the bolt face all the way to the chamber and can be fired upside down, sideways, etc.
The Browning has a few additional perks such as the trigger moving down with the lever so you won't ever pinch your finger, the inner mag tube latches in any position (doesn't have to be lined up with a notch to close) and short 33 degree lever throw.
Just open and close your fingers to work the action, no having to take your thumb off the grip. pretty fast and less disturbance of aim.
I have only one Marlin 39, and it has been very nicely customized. Whether it was a factory job or not, I really don't know.
It was manufactured in 1951, and still has the "peanut" brass insert pistol grip cap. The barrel has been shortened to 19.5", the magazine cut back to a capacity of 12 rounds, a Marlin ramp front sight base with a Lyman bead insert installed on the barrel, and an "Osborne" folding rear sight has been utilized. The fine walnut stock has been professionally checkered in an attractive pattern, and the forestock has been nicely slimmed and checkered. A Marlin "bullseye" insert was retained in the lower edge of the stock.
When I spotted this at a gun show, I had to have it, but its history remains a mystery.
John
It was manufactured in 1951, and still has the "peanut" brass insert pistol grip cap. The barrel has been shortened to 19.5", the magazine cut back to a capacity of 12 rounds, a Marlin ramp front sight base with a Lyman bead insert installed on the barrel, and an "Osborne" folding rear sight has been utilized. The fine walnut stock has been professionally checkered in an attractive pattern, and the forestock has been nicely slimmed and checkered. A Marlin "bullseye" insert was retained in the lower edge of the stock.
When I spotted this at a gun show, I had to have it, but its history remains a mystery.
John
OP
I have only one Marlin 39, and it has been very nicely customized. Whether it was a factory job or not, I really don't know.
It was manufactured in 1951, and still has the "peanut" brass insert pistol grip cap. The barrel has been shortened to 19.5", the magazine cut back to a capacity of 12 rounds, a Marlin ramp front sight base with a Lyman bead insert installed on the barrel, and an "Osborne" folding rear sight has been utilized. The fine walnut stock has been professionally checkered in an attractive pattern, and the forestock has been nicely slimmed and checkered. A Marlin "bullseye" insert was retained in the lower edge of the stock.
When I spotted this at a gun show, I had to have it, but its history remains a mystery.
John
If only guns could tell the tale
Boy John, that 39 has been transformed into something very, very special! I am surprised that whoever had the work done would ever part with such a gem. Of course, it may have been a family member who could care less. If I had seen it at a show, I probably would have thought it was a factory model 39 that I had never seen before.
Here is mine as I bought it. I have since replaced the original vintage scope with a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire model.
Larry
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I've had a Mountie for over 35 years and it has been a good shooter. It came pretty well used with a 2.5 weaver scope and made a great combo. I bought a 39TDS new in about 1991 and it shoots good too but it has never taken place of the Mountie. The Mountie just FEELS right. Prices on both have appreciated considerably over the years but I would never sell either of them.
Cal44
Member
I have a 1956 vintage 39a.
Great old gun and a tack driver.
The previous owner put a scope on it and I left it on given my less that wonderful vision.
Great old gun and a tack driver.
The previous owner put a scope on it and I left it on given my less that wonderful vision.
If only guns could tell the tale
I used a picture of this Model 39 to illustrate the chapter on the breed in my book 101 Classic Firearms. I asked the readers to help me discover its origins, but to date, no information has surfaced.
John
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I bought a Mountie new in 1964 and put a Weaver K2.5 on it. I wouldn't trade it for a gold monkey. Several years ago I bought a used 1959 M39 rifle and put a Leopold .22 3X9 on it but I like my Mountie the best. I plan on keeping both until I die. Larry
My first gun was a Model 39A in 1963. I still have it. I shot it so much in the '60's that I literally wore out the barrel. In 2005 I found a '69 Mountie in very good shape. I shot the two guns against each other and determined the accuracy of my old 39A had fallen off significantly. I sent it to the factory for a new barrel, fortunately before the big move to NY. Now they both shoot the same, very well. The 39A has an old Redfield receiver sight; the Mountie has a Williams FP.
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.357magger
Member
The 39A is the longer barrel, pistol grip and fat fore arm model.
Not all 39As have a "fat," forearm, only those from the 50s. My 1973 variant is as slim as the Mountie or 1897s or original 39s.
Just saying.
Nice combo by the way.
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HOUSTON RICK
Member
wetdog1911
Member
I was very fortunate to be able to handle both an early 70s 39A and a Mountie before I got serious looking.
The Mountie (for me), just shouldered and pointed more naturally than the rifle did. That cut my searching in half, concentrating just on vintage Mounties.
Alcohol and GB: I was bidding on a Mountie when a BIN popped up for less than my bid on the first Mountie. I jumped on it, certain that I would get out bid on the other. Did make sure of funds for both, just in case before I hit the BIN button.
Short story long, I won both on the same day, one, a 1959 and the other a 1960 vintage. Both, well used and well mantained with actions like butter. They will be passed on to my Son and DIL. Both together totaled $525, a bargain in my eyes, in 2009 when purchased.
Rob
The Mountie (for me), just shouldered and pointed more naturally than the rifle did. That cut my searching in half, concentrating just on vintage Mounties.
Alcohol and GB: I was bidding on a Mountie when a BIN popped up for less than my bid on the first Mountie. I jumped on it, certain that I would get out bid on the other. Did make sure of funds for both, just in case before I hit the BIN button.
Short story long, I won both on the same day, one, a 1959 and the other a 1960 vintage. Both, well used and well mantained with actions like butter. They will be passed on to my Son and DIL. Both together totaled $525, a bargain in my eyes, in 2009 when purchased.
Rob
OP
Great story. I suspect under current market prices the 39A would bring that, or more.
.357magger
Member
VaTom
Member
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