Rough 39A

[Swampman]

I traded a 10-22 for it. The eroded wood around the receiver bothers me most. It feeds a little sluggish but it's very accurate with subsonics in the backyard. I think a clean & lube will cure the feeding. It's had a scope mounted on the barrel at some point.

[rjohns94]

I like it. I bet if it could talk, it would have a few stories of days in the woods. I know its in good hands. Will love to see what you do with it.

[Terry Murbach]

OH BOY, THERE IS A TRUE DIAMOND-IN-THE-ROUGH. NOTE IT IS D&T'd FOR RECEIVER SIGHTS.

[Les Staley]

"If I just sand this oil stained wood a little more, I'll get down to dry wood" Yep, did it myself when I was a kid.. there is most likely a company that will have new wood for it.. looks like a little trace of case hardening on the receiver.. drilled and tapped (factory) for tang and receiver sights.. A very worthwhile project.. Les

[Swampman]

It's also set up for a Weaver N2 scope mount.

[Pete44ru]

Marlin D/T'd some Model 39a barrels for the Weaver side mount, but that wasn't until ca.1955 - about 8 years (or so) after that puppy was born.

Those 1940's M-39a's are usually pretty accurate after a good barrel scrubbing to get the lead out - well worth restoring IMHO.

.

[Lefty Dude]

OH BOY, THERE IS A TRUE DIAMOND-IN-THE-ROUGH. NOTE IT IS D&T'd FOR RECEIVER SIGHTS.

And tang sight too.

[Swampman]

So you think it was made in the 1940s? I can't quite make the serial number.

[Pete44ru]

Presuming an original stock - fat forend/no PG cap/no whiteline spacer = 1940's, since PG caps & W/L spacers didn't start until 1950 or 51 IIRC.

If you're having a hard time reading the SN, pull the buttstock - Marlin marked the SN's in the wood of the tang area, so the stock could be matched back up with their proper receivers after finishing.

If the SN there mostly matches what you can see of the SN on the lower tang, it's most likely the original stock after an abortion.

.

[jdad]

It's got "character" and really isn't that cosmetically challenged. It shoots straight and that's what counts.

The wood is low on the tang because someone sanded it. A couple coats of Tru-Oil will do wonders for it. It may feed correctly because the 2 halves are not mated fully. See if the takedown screw is loose. Also check the cartridge guide, at the top of the receiver. It may need to be bent out a little or the screw is loose.

What is the serial number "letter" prefix under the lever? This will date it.

All pre-microgrooved 39A's were d&t'd for both tang sights and receiver sights.

These are all Marlin tang sights that would work/fit your 39A. The vernier is the only repro shown and if you want it let me know....$45 delivered. It has screws too.




This is the period correct Lyman 66MC that would fit it, but you would probably want one with some wear.

[Blaine]

I think it's great the way it is.......DRT shooter of squill and rats. Don't have to worry if it gets banged around a bit....it's perfect, and I mean that.

[Swampman]

Under the buttplate is neatly carved CG 1947

[jdad]

Under the buttplate is neatly carved CG 1947

The serial number "letter" prefix should be "D", for 1947.

[Swampman]

It is D189XX. I think the mag tube spring is a little weak. I want to try it with several cartridges in the tube. I'll probably redo the wood and see what it looks like. Dumb question is it a 39 or a 39A? The barrel seems like it's 22".

[Shasta]

I have a Marlin 39A made in 1955. I wanted a checkered stock & forend, and was able to buy what I wanted from Midway. Very minor fitting was required. Here is a link:

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseP ... 766***9216***


SHASTA

[jdad]

It's a 39A and the barrel should be & does look to be 24", from the breech face to muzzle.

Push a solvent coated patch up the inner mag tube, then several dry ones. It may just be gunked up inside.

You really got the better end of the trade. There a millions of 10/22's, but not a lot of early, pre-microgrooved, 39A's.

[Ysabel Kid]

Very cool! What kind of 10/22 did you trade for it?

That's interesting "shrinkage" of the wood. Think someone did try "aggressive refinishing", or is that result of storage conditions?

[nemhed]

I'd say that was a good trade!

[Swampman]

It was a regular Walmart 10-22 that I'd dropped into a Ruger checkered walnut stock. It just sat in the safe & I never shot it.

[1886]

Certainly worth the trade of a 10-22. Great score. 1886.

[mescalero1]

Looks like a challange for the Roto-Carve.

[pokey]

got one very similar, had to "fix" it some though.

DSC_0079.JPG

jdad, marlin rimfire expert extraordinaire, you sure that's enough tang sights?

[Pete44ru]

[Under the buttplate is neatly carved CG 1947]

AFAIK, Marlin never marked anything into the wood of the buttstock, under the BP - the SN's were stamped into the tang area at the front/wrist end of the buttstock, not carved.

It sounds like something a new orwner might have done - carved their initials and the year of purchase.

At least there were no electro-engraving pencils around, for new owners to etch their SSN on the receiver, back then !

.

[Cottonwood Mike]

My first rifle, given to me by my dad in 1968, is also a 1947, D prefix 39A. He bought it new in Colusa, California around 1950 while doing his student teaching there. He had a Weaver half inch 4X scope mounted on it. I received it when I was 14. I turn 56 next week and still have it, with the scope still mounted. It's a very accurate rifle. It brings back good memories of him. He died a year ago at age 87. I miss him.
Then about five years ago I found the same rifle( a 1946 c prefix model) at Huntington's in Oroville for $349. When I went back to get it, they had gotten in a R prefix 1957 Mountie. It was marked $279. Difficult decision here. So I did what any self respecting lever gunner would do-I bought them both. Sometimes you get lucky. They're both nice guns. I am very blessed in Model 39A's.

Regards,

Mike

[jdad]

got one very similar, had to "fix" it some though.

DSC_0079.JPG

jdad, marlin rimfire expert extraordinaire, you sure that's enough tang sights?

I was Boy Scout.......Be Prepared.

[ceb]

I'd made that trade in a heartbeat, congrats.

[TedH]

Shoot it as is and not worry about dinging it up, or a restoration project. A winner either way. Congratulations.

[buckeyeshooter]

I would enjoy it as is and keep a lookout for a replacement stock. Great trade!

[jdad]

Check your PM. I found some parts for you.

[bcp]

Looks like it might not be fully clamped together. That could cause the problems.

Bruce

[fordwannabe]

I'll give ya both my 10/22's for it!!! .........Didn't think so.

[Swampman]

After much soaking in CRC & WD-40 and tapping with a hammer handle I was finally able to break it down. There was a ton of crud in there. I cleaned it real good and lubed it with Mil-Spec gun oil. I goes completely back together now and seems to function better.

[gamekeeper]

Certainly worth the trade of a 10-22. Great score. 1886.

+ 1

[Swampman]

Shoots like a champ now.

[Swampman]

I took it to the range yesterday and I was able to pick of small pieces of clay pigeon on the 25 yard berm really easy. I can't shoot very well without a scope so I felt good. It did hang up one time but I was able to fix it. I want to find a better butt stock for her.

[Blaine]

I've always been on record that ugly 39s are the best value out there.......