Anybody know the value of my 39a ballard

[Superflywimpy]

I have this Marlin 39a. It's a standard not golden. Made 1951. Never shot it. I have had it in the safe for 30 yrs. It's not markerd micro groove. A gunshow guys said it's more desireable than the micro groove rifles. It's about a 97% condition rifle. Anybody know what it might be worth. Thinking of selling and I don't want to short myself. Case is time period as well. Bought at a estate auction in 81.

 

[chief38]

Beautiful gun!

Your Marlin is from a more desirable era and I would say it is worth between $550 - $650. On a good day it might even bring $700+ because of the exceptional condition.

I have the same gun made in 1946 which I inherited from my Dad last year. Despite the fact that it has had THOUSANDS & THOUSANDS of rounds through it, it is actually in as good a condition as yours.

I used to own a more modern version built in the 90's (with the rebounding hammer) but when I got my Dad's Marlin and saw how much better the older ones are, I sold mine in a heartbeat!
There simply is no comparison to the 40's and 50's 39A - IMHO.

And IMHO there is no finer .22 lever rifle made. Marlin was sold about a year ago and from the scuttle-butt I see on the internet, they are struggling with Q/C in the new plant down South. I guess a lot of their old time employees in CT did not move down South with them, and they are disparately trying to get their act together.

Unless you really need the money or truly have no intention of ever using it, I would suggest keeping it. While not rare, yours does seem to be a really nice one.

Chief38

 

[2152hq]

Right near the end of the conventional (Ballard style) rifling style that Marlin used. That was a cut groove style rifling.
Micro-groove is a form of button rifling. Marlin started using it about '53 or '54 depending where you read.

In that condition, that age & with the old style rifling I'd think $700 isn't out of the question. Depends on how hungry the Marlin collectors are.

You have to find the person/collector that appreciates both the condition/age of the rifle and the fact that it has the early style rifling,,,,and then get them to pay for it!

Do some searches on the on-line auction sites and see what they are going for. Decent condition shooter 39's seem to be about $350/$400 around here w/o concern for the rifling style.