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Posted: 12/15/2010 3:15:20 AM EDT
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My father in law just sent my wife home with one he wanted to give me. I don't know anything about them. I don't think he does either. He said I could sell it if I didn't want it. I did a little internet searching and it appears these are wildly popular.
This one in particular is in pretty good shape with some surface rust on the barrel I need to get fixed. I am most curious if anyone knows a good source for info on build dates and general info. This one has a three digit serial number starting with the letter M. Thanks. |
A) Why sell it??????? 
B) Check age here: http://armscollectors.com/sn/marlinlookup.php |
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I've had my eye out for an older one without the new hammer block safety for a few years.
I would hold on to that rifle if I were you unless it doesn't fit your shooting style. I think they'd be an awsome training gun for new shooters, small game, plinking rifle. They are reputed for stellar accuracy. Good luck in your choice. Clean the rust off though. Dont' go nuts, just hit it with a toothbrush and oil and nothing radical. |
. My FIL said I could sell it if I wanted. I had no idea what he was sending home with my wife. After reading up on it I am pretty happy to have been given this gun. Looks like it was made in 1955.
The 39A's are great rifles! I have two of them, one is a 1942 version that my father had been given by his father and the other is a early 70's. Both are great shooters, everyone who has shot one of them has liked them. Solid, real wood and steel. They are like a S+W revolver, a great investment.
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| OP-I have a M prefix 39A, if I remember right that prefix denotes a 1954 production date. Great rifles, the only firearm in my collection I enjoy more is my Garand. Large capacity, adult size and weight, steel and wood, American made when American made still truly was what it says, and just plain FUN! My old 39A shoots better with irons than my 10/22T did with optics. They'll shoot even better with a scope added, but that takes away a lot of the charm. I had mine reblued, but the damage had already been done(some idiot had cold blued it, and VERY heavily shellacked the stock.) I just made it look like it should, proper polish and hot blue and a nice satin finish on the stock. |
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I have a 1962 39-A. Its in such nice shape I hate to take it out and shoot it! If your father-in-law gave it to you and he had it for a long time there is only one thing you can do with this rifle: take good care of it and give it to his grandson. It should be a family treasure.
I still have the rifle my father taught his kids to shoot with. I keep it clean and oiled and will pass it on the the child in the family that will treasure it and keep it. I hold that rifle in my hands, shut my eyes, and its 6:30 AM on a Saturday morning and Dad is taking me, at age 12, out to squirrel hunt. I had to shoot them through the head with .22 shorts. The shorts are quiet in a gun like that. Make sure your son has those great memories when he grows up. He can be shooting with his grandpa's Marlin 39A. Old guns are nice, but old guns that got passed down from Grand Dad are Priceless. |
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Quoted: It's a great rifle, I love that it can shoot CB, Short, Long or Long Rifle. http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk44/johndsphoto/Marlin%2039A/FullGunNoFlash.jpg?t=1293855131 That's cool. Looks like the tube was spaced down just to bit to clear the can? Probably faster than a bolt gun, and just as quiet. |
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To figure out the serial number you can try this:
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php or A lot of good information here: Marlin Owners Forum Mine is over 40yrs old in mint condition . . . and not for sale . . . |
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Quoted: It's a great rifle, I love that it can shoot CB, Short, Long or Long Rifle. http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk44/johndsphoto/Marlin%2039A/FullGunNoFlash.jpg?t=1293855131 That is almost sacrelegious! But it is also awesome! What can is that? How quiet is it? OP, the 39A as you are already learning, is one of the few classics that are still in production. I have one, and intend it to outlast all of my firearms as far as how many generations it makes it through my family. Especially since you have one built in the 1950s, you should consider yourself very fortunate. Go out and shoot this gun a lot.
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I have mine tucked away , it was the first rifle i bought with my own money , i was about 9 yrs old a 39A golden century, it has a medallion in the reciever , octagon bbl, brass but plate and some other special features , loved it when i handed my dad the 100. dollars and he found it new for like 117, or around that price , now this was back in late 69 - 70 , its has a take down screw which take the gun to 2 pieces, its one of those like the other poster stated just hold it and think of the good times, its truely priceless,,, lucky you , enjoy the baby and get the rust off it , i would think its worth a good smith visit for a hot blue job , had an old m1 carbine that looked like a crowbar given to me , we tore it down found a nice old smith and for 80 bucks he made it look like it was brand new polished it good and hot tanked it , lucky there was no pitting ,,, 
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| Great gun, it was the only one I was able to keep out of my 14 Marlin's when my wife lost her job last year, try a Williams Receiver sight its as accurate as a scope on mine and I think it looks better. I've had good luck with 0000 steel wool and Kroil to remove the rust with out damage just take your time and don't rub to hard. |
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Keep it.I bought an mountie back in 1980 and paid 90 and change new,Some idiot stole it.I could never replace it as they are expensive these days,saw a decent used one locally for 325 a month ago.
I could hit red poker chips hanging on strings all day with it.That rifle will outlast your kids' kids. |
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