Marlin 39a

[Lineman711]

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.

 

[TV66]

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.

 

[old-is-good]

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.

 

[Bryan27]

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

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Marlin 39a

with the cowboy shooting sports becoming super popular that lever is going to be handy.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Marlin 39a

Buy it you won't be disappointed. They are a lot of fun.

 

[Platypus]

Re: Marlin 39a

Get it. The one I had for years and shot many a rabbit, tree rat, and armadillo was one of the funnest guns to shoot as well as being accurate. One of the few guns I let go years ago that I had back. Get it and shoot the heck out of it and let us know how you like it.

 

[WRM]

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

 

[KHOOKS]

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.

 

[Bryan27]

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.

 

[HotRod9mm]

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.

 

[Avgwhitemale]

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

 

[HOGGHEAD]

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.

 

[slowr1der]

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.

 

[168BTHPM]

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.

 

[RTH1800]

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.

 

[ky_simple_man]

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.

 

[dajudge43]

Re: Marlin 39a

i have a "Mountie" that i bought new in 1970...as far as accuracy would not trade it for anything else..its killed more squirrels that you could put on a 1/2 ton pickup trk