• 1 WEEK LEFT: This Target Haunts Me Contest

    Tell us about the one that got away, the flier that ruined your group, the zero that drifted, the shot you still see when you close your eyes. Winner will receive a free scope!

    Join contest

Marlin 39a

Lineman711

Lineman711

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 5, 2009
137
1
39
TN
#1
I know it's not a real popular model here on the hide, but I thought I'd ask you guys anyway.

A family friend has a 1971 Marlin Golden 39a, still in the box, hasn't even had a round chambered in it and he said he may be interested in selling it.

I've been looking for one for a while, but haven't really put much research into it to know what years were good, what were the best and worst years, etc.

I see that it only books for around $400, but I figure it's worth more than that judging by what they go for on gunbroker. If I do happen to buy it, it will be shot and used, because I don't have much use for safe queens.

Thank you for any info.
 
#2
Re: Marlin 39a

Never heard of any bad years, it's a pre safety, which is desireable, and they're close to $500 new now. I have no idea what year they are but the three I've got are good accurate guns.
 
#3
Re: Marlin 39a

If you haven't ever owned a 39A, you owe it to yourself to try one out. They are accurate and a lot of fun to shoot and super reliable. I'm not saying it's a target rifle but plenty accurate for informal target shooting and squirrel hunting.
I'm no expert but I would say that a 71 model in the box would be fairly collectible. There are several variations and models of them made over the years. Somewhere around 1952 or 53, Marlin switched from a Ballard grooved barrel to the Micro-grooved. Also around 1985 or so, they switched to a cross-bolt type safety on the trigger and rebounding hammer which a lot of collectors and shooters don't care for. I have owned both and didn't really notice a big difference.
If you want more information, go over to rimfirecentral.com and go to the Marlin forum. Pretty much anything you'd want to know can be found there.
 
#4
Re: Marlin 39a

They are pretty easy to find for <$400. Being that it's new in box and never been shot it would bring a premium depending on the wood, a nice stock can bring extra. Either way you'll love a 39A, I ended up with one and it's probably my favorite gun to shoot. Here's a link to a few pictures I posted over at rimfire central..... http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=300155
 
#8
Re: Marlin 39a

A few years ago Dad's buddy had one he wanted to know what it was worth, I told him I'd offer him $250 right now. Guy ended up seeling it to a gunsmith for that same price, kind of bummed me out. They are nice little rifles....

Bill
 
#9
Re: Marlin 39a

Marlin year of manufacture maybe determined from the following list of letter/numeral prefixs to the serial number:

1946-C
1947-D
1948-E
1949-F
1950-G
1951-H
1952-J
1953-K
1954-L
1955-M
1956-N
1957-P
1958-R
1959-S
1960-T
1961-U
1962-V
1963-W
1964-Y,-Z
1965-AA
1966-AB
1967-AC
1968-AD, -68
1969-69
1970-70
1971-71
1972-72

Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:
Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75].

Posted from another site.

May help you guys find out when your 39a's where made.
 
#10
Re: Marlin 39a

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lineman711</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know it's not a real popular model here on the hide, but I thought I'd ask you guys anyway.

A family friend has a 1971 Marlin Golden 39a, still in the box, hasn't even had a round chambered in it and he said he may be interested in selling it.

I've been looking for one for a while, but haven't really put much research into it to know what years were good, what were the best and worst years, etc.

I see that it only books for around $400, but I figure it's worth more than that judging by what they go for on gunbroker. If I do happen to buy it, it will be shot and used, because I don't have much use for safe queens.

Thank you for any info.</div></div>

Tell him you'll give him $100 for such a nice, but unproven gun. For all he knows it doesn't even shoot straight.

Really, you should be able to find one cheaper than $400 if you keep your eyes and ears open. I stumbled upon mine while helping my aunts friend load a moving truck, he told me I could have the thing for free, I wouldn't feel right about it so I told him to knock $100 off the bill. You just never know where one will pop up. Have you thought about running a WTB ad in the classifieds here or some other places? I imagine there are a lot of guys that have a 39A they haven't shot in a while and would let go for a fair price.
 
#11
Re: Marlin 39a

I picked up my '69 39A for $340 delivered a couple weeks ago. It is used but very clean with very few handling marks for the age. Personally I don't necessarily collect non shooters(I do have two but that’s another story) so if you are going to shoot it I don't think its worth more then a new one but I would make a fair offer if I were you and wanted it.



cool.gif
 
#12
Re: Marlin 39a

If you can swing the $$$ I say by it.. I have two. A 1956 model that I shot as a kid and a Century Model. Both are great shooters and I like having a 22 in all flavors (pump,lever,bolt,semi-auto)for the younger shooters to get introduced to the sport.. Somehow the Youngsters just get a kick out of the Levers, reminds them of the cowboy movies. Anyway you generally have no problem trading/selling the 39a should you chose to move it along in the future.
Good luck.
George of the jungle
 
#13
Re: Marlin 39a

It is not a steal. But it is a fair price. Especially for the condition. No real collector's value. The 39 is a well made, straight shooting 22 rifle. How does the wood look?? Pass it on if you do not buy it. I have a a hole in my safe and I think a 39 would fit perfectly in that hole?? Tom.
 
#14
Re: Marlin 39a

A friend sold one of these a while back and another friend bought it. Only his was one that was only a few years old. He was asking $200 for his and it was in pretty darn good shape. Had a few scratches, but nothing major. He had several guys offer him $100 as saying it was just a .22. Finally, another buddy of ours bought it for the $200, but it was for sale for a while before it sold for that. That being said, I think $200 was a steal and I've not seen another one that cheap. I was going to buy that one, but I knew my buddy showed some interest and I told him since he was the one that told me about it that he could buy it if he wanted it. If he didn't buy it I was going to. Unfortunately for me he bought it and loves it.
 
#15
Re: Marlin 39a

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lineman711</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know it's not a real popular model here on the hide, but I thought I'd ask you guys anyway.</div></div>

??? The Marlin 39a is one of the most popular and fun to shoot .22 rifles. I bought one for each of my 3 kids.

You know if you get the 39a, you will also have to find a 3-screw Single Six and a cowboy holster so you'll be a well heeled squirrel hunter.

I saw a couple at the Fishersville gun show in the $400 range, the Roanoke/Salem shows usually have a few of them too, of course if you are looking for one they never seem to be there.
 
#16
Re: Marlin 39a

I think that accurate is an understatement. The two I shot were breathtaking. Also very shootable in the field, as they "hang" well in the offhand.
 
#17
Re: Marlin 39a

A 1971 39a "new in the box" is worth $400 I say buy it for that if you can........ It would bring more $ on gb for sure. I have been looking around at gun shows and the ones I'm seeing are in the $350- $450 range and are not in good enough conditiom to follow me home.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
SOLD Marlin Golden 39A .22 lever action
Replies
6
Views
884
Tex68w
T
Toast
Marlin Model 37 Mountee vs. Henry Golden Boy-Golden Eagle 22LR (PIC HEAVY)
Replies
0
Views
444
Toast
Toast
Topstrap
My adventure into Long Gong (kinda)
Replies
1
Views
264
bobby1028
B
Pharmseller
Homemade knife
Replies
19
Views
1K
sirhrmechanic
sirhrmechanic
schmi015
SOLD Safe clean out Marlin 336cs 35rem, Rem 7600 .270, Rem 11-87 etc
Replies
15
Views
2K
schmi015
schmi015
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts