Old 4 digit Marlin Model 39

[nutsforsmiths]

I thought I'd share some photos of a first series Marlin Model 39 rifle. I've been wanting to get this rifle out of the back of the safe for a while for others to see on this forum.

My dad bought this rifle as a teenager sometime in the mid 1950s when he lived in Berkeley, CA. I shot a lot of cans and bottles with this rifle growing up. It's a joy to shoot. In 1986 I bought a Marlin Golden 39A brand new, and since that time, this one has not been shot much at all. My dad gave me this rifle some 15 years ago now, along with a Winchester 1890 in 22 WRF that he also bought as a teenager, and a Winchester Model 63 he received as a present on his twelfth birthday.

It is an early version of the 39. The serial number is 2589, which might put this around 1923 as a production year. It has an octagonal barrel and the frame is case-color hardened. It also has the earlier 1897 model style of loading tube latch. This rifle also does not have the screw that keeps the ejector down when cleaning the rifle. This feature was added in 1926 to protect the ejector from possible breakage when using a cleaning rod to clean the rifle bore.

The rifle has been used a lot, but not abused. The case-color hardening is still present, but no where near as nice as it once was. The bluing on the rifle is at least 75%. The wood has no cracks or chips. The original hard rubber but plate is still present, but is cracked in the middle and has been cracked ever since I can remember! Everything on this rifle is original. Including the ivory bead on the front sight.

I hope you enjoy the few photos I took of this Marlin 39.

 

[TJm15.38]

That's a fine looking rifle for being 100 years old. I love the Marlin lever action .22's. Maybe some day Ruger will resurrect the 39 again in a 21st century version.

 

[30-30remchester]

I have had several of these early 39's. These were designed before the advent of high-speed ammo. The bolt is the venerable part. Being the smartest man, I know, nobody was going to tell me anything and I sure wasn't going to listen to somebody not as smart as me. The old know it all's told me to never shoot high speed ammo in mine as it would break the bolt. They said Marlin re-enforced the bolt to use high speed ammo and gave it a model name of 39 A. The fact that I broke the bolt on no fewer than 3 early 39's didn't dispel my belief in my beliefs. In those days replacement bolts were not available but there were enough old gun parts companies that I could carry on in my ignorance. Now days I doubt there are very few replacement bolts. So, my advice, and yes, I still am the smartest man I know, because now I am listening and reading more, is never use anything except standard velocity ammo in these or you could have a broken wall hanger like mine.

 

[444 Magnum]

The case-color hardening is still present, but no where near a silver in color as it probably once was.

The color case hardened finish would originally have been multi-colored like the hammer and trigger on S&W pistols. Marlin had as durable a color case hardened finish as anyone; but, overtime from handling and sunlight, it will silver, then grey, and eventually rust.

That's a nice family gun to be enjoyed and treasured.

I find there are two large categories when it comes to collecting guns. Those that have been used and enjoyed and can continue to be used, and the safe queens. Both represent factory originality but the first category has more history. Like a well used black powder Colt SAA, I always wonder who used it and for what. Both categories are desirable to different collectors.

I love the old Marlin .22's. Here's a few pics of the highlights of my collection of color case hardened Marlin .22's. The 39's are in the middle. I think there may be a half-octagon deluxe 1897 missing from this picture. I'm going to have to do some digging.

Close up of the 39 receivers. Too much sun however.

Sorry, no range reports.

 

[boykinlp]

The color case hardened finish would originally have been multi-colored like the hammer and trigger on S&W pistols. Marlin had as durable a color case hardened finish as anyone; but, overtime from handling and sunlight, it will silver, then grey, and eventually rust.

That's a nice family gun to be enjoyed and treasured.

I find there are two large categories when it comes to collecting guns. Those that have been used and enjoyed and can continue to be used, and the safe queens. Both represent factory originality but the first category has more history. Like a well used black powder Colt SAA, I always wonder who used it and for what. Both categories are desirable to different collectors.

I love the old Marlin .22's. Here's a few pics of the highlights of my collection of color case hardened Marlin .22's. The 39's are in the middle. I think there may be a half-octagon deluxe 1897 missing from this picture. I'm going to have to do some digging.

Close up of the 39 receivers. Too much sun however.

Sorry, no range reports.

Those case colors really make me drool uncontrollably!
Larry

 

[2152hq]

Beautiful MArlins!
I have several Model 97's and really enjoy shooting those.

Yes, Std Vel only in those and the early Model 39.

Replacement bolts are nearly impossible to find.
A Model 39A bolt can be fitted, but those are also in the impossible to find catagory as well.
Treat the oldsters kindly and they will go another century w/o problems.

 

[Miracle Man]

One of my big regret guns that I got rid of many moons ago was a Marlin Golden 39A from early 80's. Took many a squirrel with it.

Memories oh my

 

[jeffrefrig]

I shot the snot out of my 39A growing up. The D prefix puts it at 1947, 10 years older than me. My grandson almost soiled himself when I pulled it out of my trunk! He reads a lot about all sorts of things, and a few days before we went I nonchalantly told him he may want to read up some on lever action Marlin .22s. He liked it quite a bit, to put it mildly! We were only about 30 yards back, but he did very well sitting at the table.

 

[epj]

I have my dad’s M39A that is more than 70 years old. Purchased in the very early 1950’s. It has the plastic cap on the pistol grip with a brass plate that can be engraved. This was a one year only thing supposedly. This is a pre Golden, and has Ballard rifling.

 

[boykinlp]

Here is my 1964 Marlin Golden 39A. When I acquired it, it came with the vintage Marlin Micro-vue 4X scope, and was missing the famous Marlin “bullseye” in the stock. The scope was not very good, even though it looked pretty cool, so I replaced it with a Prostaff Rimfire 4X scope. It is really nice! I was able to replace the missing bullseye and the other white spacers, which had become dirty over the almost 60 years. I think it turned out great!
Larry

 

[PALADIN85020]

I think this is one of the nicest 39s I've ever seen. It's a custom 1951 example, still having the brass "peanut" in the grip cap. It's been nicely slimmed with a shortened barrel. I bought it about 10 years ago.

John


(Click for larger image)

 

[Empe]

The older Marlin .22 lever action rifles are real nice...very well made. I have a first year 39A ...made in 1939 and its in very nice condition with very strong case color and blue. It's a beautiful rifle that never fails to draw comments when people see it.
I don't really shoot it all that often but do enjoy it when I do.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I picked up a clean one just a few months ago.

Came with the factory glass that is still clear and quite usable.

 

[Golddollar]

Back when I was living in the Philadephia suburbs in the late 1970s-mid1980s I was friends with a guy who had a fair sized gun collection and he was selling some things because he was out of work. I didn't have a modern .22 rifle at the time so when he made me a deal on a Marline 39A that everyone now would be clutching their throats about I jumped on it. I put a Banner 4X with a 1" tube on the gun. I took the scoped gun out to the range and at 100 yards I could shoot a group with CCI Mini-Mags that a small styrofoam cup would cover. I still have the gun and it's going nowhere.

 

[luvsmiths]

Well- Heres mine. 1948.
Bought new for a friend by his dad.

 

[Carp1999]

I know this tread is a bit dated but my dad passed and left me this great old Marlin 39. Serial# 15xx. Had to share! Pretty excited to shoot this and remember dad. Pictures below

 

[chief38]

I grew up shooting my Dad's Marlin 39A built in 1946. I always wanted it and he said "when he's gone" but not before. In the 1980's I was not wishing him any bad luck so I bought my own copy new in the box. It was a nice gun but had a few things I did not care for. First of all was the silly rebounding hammer - hated that! Secondly was the push button cross bolt safety which I could have lived without, but was not a deal breaker. The trigger was not all that great although that too was fixable had I kept it.

Dad passed about 16 years ago and I inherited his Marlin. His was so far superior to my new one that I sold mine and kept his - still in great shape too. I just shot it a couple of weeks ago and do use it on a regular basis. What an fantastic rifle! The target bellow is from 2019, I don't have the one from a few weeks ago.

 

[VaTom]

Great rifles everyone. Here is my 1958 Golden 39A that I bought an estate auction in 2017 for $500. Had part of the box left and all paperwork, hang tags, etc. Couldn’t salvage the box as it was crumbling like it had been stored in attic. Look closely at the papers. You could buy one and pay later plan. Even had the original scope mounting plate. I put the scope on and replaced the missing bullseye. Looked like it had never been broken down to clean or shot much. Has factory sling attachments. Most accurate .22 I own.