New old Marlin

[Metalhead0483]

Came across a deal that I couldn't refuse today. A local guy was selling off some of his long guns and asked me to come have a look. Most of it was pretty uninteresting, but amongst the pile was an old beat up Marlin 39A with "G" prefix serial number (so 1949 or '50 production date as far as I can tell). I've always wanted a 39, and the price was waaaay too good to pass on, so I snapped it up.

Got it home and did a thorough exam. Wood is in very good condition for the age of the gun, bore is perfect, bluing on the receiver is probably 80% with flecks of rust, finish on the barrel is very worn, maybe 35% and gone brown with more flecks of rust, the internals are in excellent shape. Sights have been removed, and the top of the receiver and the barrel were drilled and tapped for 2-screw weaver mounts also factory D&Ted for the receiver peep sight like so many of them were. Cycles smooth as butter, but haven't had it to the range yet. With that bore though it should shoot like a dream.

Now the question is, do I just keep it and shoot it as-is and appreciate the character of a well-used old rifle? or do I send it off to have it restored? I know a restoration will wipe away any collector value, but I'm pretty sure that was done with as soon as they drilled and tapped it for the weaver mounts. And lets face it, I like making old guns look new. Always feels like I'm giving them what they deserve after a hard life of service

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I tried to upload them before I left for work but ran out of time. I'll post them once I get home tonight.

 

[Fuzzy Bunny]

I would get some sights on it, and then shoot the ever living fire out of it. I have a 70's 39A and it shoots way better than I do.

 

[Metalhead0483]

Not exactly the normal Snipershide rifle porn we're all used to, but they're what I was able to snap before work.

 

[yoteman]

Yep, collector value, shot with it being, drilled an tap, out. Of the factory
i say go for it,
I can not do that to a per 64 win 94, but what you have, has been altered
make her look cool. Just my 2c
yo

 

[Quarter Horse]

It's your rifle. Do whatever pleases you. That said, there is a significant difference between restoration and refinishing. If you do an actual restoration, you will spend a lot more money than it would cost you to buy a high percentage rifle of the same vintage. If you have someone refinish it the rifle will be more incorrect than it is now. I suggest you would be sending bad money after good in either case.

If you want to greatly improve it's appearance that is something you can do yourself. I believe the wood is an oil finish. Take the wood off, clean with Murphy's soap, steam out the dents, sand lightly and finish with True Oil. Strip the metal, use bronze wool to remove the rust, degrease and finish with cold blue. There are some tricks involved in getting the best finishes which you can find on the web. You will be surprised how well it will clean up with very little money and not much time.

 

[Metalhead0483]

Very good point QH. And you're right, it'd be a refinish, not a restoration. I'm thinking of having someone fill in the holes for the front sight (going to keep the scope I think) and then completely redo the metal and clean up the wood. It won't be original, but it should look good once it's done

 

[Cory10/22]

Myself, I'd clean the girl up. And enjoy every minute of doing it.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Not exactly the normal Snipershide rifle porn we're all used to, but they're what I was able to snap before work.

i think it's the perfect porn - built when a rifle was meant to last!

 

[JoeMartin]

i think it's the perfect porn - built when a rifle was meant to last!

+1

 

[Metalhead0483]

Fair enough. I can't argue with that

Now I just need to find someone who can pretty her up for me

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

yeah know, if the collector value is gone with the drill and tapping, a "case hardened" finish on the metal with rosewood tone on the stock(s) would look very sexy., with some sort of tang folding sight in rear and globe on front.

 

[Metalhead0483]

It's a toss-up between a tang sight and a peep sight for me. It's set up for both already. Hadn't thought about case hardening it. Damn that would look awesome...