Howland937
Member
Ok, so it wasn't my grandpa's because he never had anything of decent quality. But I have no doubt this belonged to someone's grandpa.
This is the first 39A I've ever owned IIRC, but I've been outshot more than a couple of times by my dad's. This has a C prefix serial number, born in 1946 if I understood correctly. The war years separate mine from my brother's B prefix 39A, which also gave him the color case hardened receiver. I am jealous of that.
His wears the exact same scope mount (and a better Weaver than the B4 mine has), which is confounding because pictures of other early models indicate the mount uses existing holes instead of being 'smithed in. Perhaps someone here can shed light? I'm under the impression new holes were added and threaded, killing collector interest. I overpaid for it...to the tune of $150-$200 in my mind, but I've wanted one for a while and they ain't getting cheaper. Besides, buying one at a gun show woulda been even worse.
Condition isn't horrible, but it needs a thorough cleaning and a few spots of surface rust need attention. It's also in need of a replacement butt plate. Wood is overall decent and bluing is mostly ok, with some parts having the brown patina that is so common. It's in fair to good shooter grade condition in my estimation.
Knowing the shop it came from, it's highly likely someone got about $200 trade in for grandpa's gun. Kinda sad, really. They were adamant the gun was ruined and told a few customers it was, which was why they were "only asking $575+tax" for it.
This is the first 39A I've ever owned IIRC, but I've been outshot more than a couple of times by my dad's. This has a C prefix serial number, born in 1946 if I understood correctly. The war years separate mine from my brother's B prefix 39A, which also gave him the color case hardened receiver. I am jealous of that.
His wears the exact same scope mount (and a better Weaver than the B4 mine has), which is confounding because pictures of other early models indicate the mount uses existing holes instead of being 'smithed in. Perhaps someone here can shed light? I'm under the impression new holes were added and threaded, killing collector interest. I overpaid for it...to the tune of $150-$200 in my mind, but I've wanted one for a while and they ain't getting cheaper. Besides, buying one at a gun show woulda been even worse.
Condition isn't horrible, but it needs a thorough cleaning and a few spots of surface rust need attention. It's also in need of a replacement butt plate. Wood is overall decent and bluing is mostly ok, with some parts having the brown patina that is so common. It's in fair to good shooter grade condition in my estimation.
Knowing the shop it came from, it's highly likely someone got about $200 trade in for grandpa's gun. Kinda sad, really. They were adamant the gun was ruined and told a few customers it was, which was why they were "only asking $575+tax" for it.