New here, Need help with my Marlin 39

[killerb83]

I have received my grandfathers Marlin 39 .22 (S, L, & LR) Octagonal barrel. My father has owned the gun since, but its only been in storage. He fired it as a kid growing up, but that's it. I asked to own it and my dad eagerly let me have it. I finally have the gun back from the gunsmith. I had him preform a gun safety check and tighten up any loose ends and also cleaned up the little lit of rust on the gun and re crowned the barrel where the most rust was.

The only markings I can find are the company name/location, the bullet type, "Marlin Mod. 39", and HS68 on the bottom of the tang under the lever. I also found 68 in the inside of the gun receiver are. I would really like to know the vintage and the potential worth of this family heirloom. Besides a few light scratches on the stock and some of the D&T holes the condition is amazing.

Here are some pics









The scope by the way I believe is a Weaver type. This has already been removed since the optics are very cloudy. I also like the look without the scope. I'll try and clean it up the best I can. Also I don't believe the rubber on the butt of the stock is original. If not any help on obtaining a correct one to the vintage of my rifle would be great. Oh and i need a new rear sight. the original one on the gun was filed down on the left side. I think this was done to alow the scope to be mounted. Any help with were I can get a new one of those too would be helpful.

I don't plan on selling this gun. Just interested in it worth. I plan on passing this down to my kids hopefully one day.

Thanks again.

 

[photoman12001]

It's definitely a keeper

If there ever was a gun worth passing on it's the Marlin 39. Try Numrich for your parts needs. I've had good luck with them for 39 parts. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

After you restore to original condition as much as you can look into a receiver sight. I recommend the Skinner sight. Just Google Skinner sight. I think it works well and looks great. Here's mine.

Someone else can help you with values better than I can.

 

[Furncliff]

Go here for your rifles year of Manufacture.

http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php

You may want to check in with the Marlin nuts (myself among) at :

rimfirecentral.com

Lots of good info there. And those guys will LUUUv the photos of your rifle.

There is a Marlin 39 dedicated thread on this board too:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=261635

My Marlin 39 is at the smith's now for a reblue. You have a really nice looking rifle there. I'm sure you will find that they are really accurate too. Remember to try a bunch of different makes of .22 ammo because .22 rifles can be picky about what's most accurate in them. Mine likes anything made by Federal.

I have the same Weaver 4X scope on another rifle. Mine is too foggy to use also.

 

[dfariswheel]

As I recall, you posted this same question within a month or so ago, on this or another forum.
We gave you a fairly complete run down then.

If I'm wrong, here's the info again.

Your rifle is a pre-WWII Marlin Model 39. This is NOT the later Model 39-A.
The Model 39 was made from 1922 to 1938 with somewhere between 40,000 to 50,000 made.
They came with various grades of woods, in "X", "2X", and "3X" grades.
Your's has fancy wood, I'm not sure which grade.

The "HS" prefix to the serial number indicates this rifle was made to handle modern High Speed ammunition. The older models were not safe to shoot High Speed ammo, and would often break the older style of bolt. These "HS" guns are not quite as well made as the older guns, and are not as valuable.

Serial number "HS 68" would have been rifle number 68 in the "HS" series, which is VERY early in that series.

The rubber butt pad is not original.

The screw on top of the receiver that retains the upper bullet guide is possibly a replacement.

This rifle has been extensively drilled and tapped for non-factory telescopic sights. The top of the barrel has been drilled for barrel mount scope blocks, that are still present.
The side of the barrel has been drilled for a side mount scope mount and the holes have been filled with large head screws.
The original rear sight was cut on the side to clear the side mount scope.
Due to the quality of the workmanship, none of this work was done at the Marlin factory.

Value will be difficult to determine due to the extensive alterations to the rifle, all of which reduce value.
Another key factor in value is the actual condition, and whether the finish of the rifle is original or re-finished.
This rifle appears to have been re-blued, since these rifles originally had color case hardened receivers and some other parts.
The refinish reduces the value significantly.

As a rule of thumb, a Model 39 in ORIGINAL unaltered condition in about 80% condition would be worth somewhere in the area of $1000 to $1200.
The non-original condition of this rifle will lower that price significantly, but how much, only an expert appraiser can tell.

You might still find original milled steel sights at Gun Parts Corporation.
All they show now is the newer stamped sights.
Note that most sights you'll find will be later production stamped sights.
If you order a sight, be VERY specific about what you need.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=640

To sum up, you have a very early "HS" prefix rifle with a fancier grade of wood, that has unfortunately been reduced in value by all the alterations and the refinish.