The Marlin 39 Club

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I should receive it late this week. I don't think I can afford to keep both - so, I may have to sell the 24"...:( ... it too is a beauty!

Pete
 
Marlin 39 question

Just got a Marlin 39 take-down for my wife. It has very strong case colors on the receiver, a star on the tang, and the serial under the lever is 11 336. This serial number so far has everyone stumped. The 11 and the 336 seem to be somewhat separated, with the 11 being stamped it seems in a thicker font. The star does not have a dimple in it. It has a Marble peep sight, and the rear sight dovetail cut has no sight, it has a Marble marked flat top filler. The Marble peep base has patent dates of '02 and '05. The bummer is that it has two scope holes drilled which really lowers the value. Doesn't matter, only paid $150 for it, but I didn't realize until now in what high regard these rifles are held. The guy I got it from inherited it from his grandfather and has absolutely no interest.
I normally collect antique and vintage military so had no clue about these rifles, but my wife is from Texas and it looked like a fun one for her being a lever action.
Please see the image attached.
Can anyone tell me what year this one was made?
 

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Mo sez, "You stole that."

No, actually it goes far beyond stealing. That's called "Grand Theft Lever"!

That rifle is worth a minimum of $1,000.

It's hard to tell exactly what year it was made, probably the Marlin Owners site linked above would be able to help you there. But, my best guess is that it was made sometime in the mid 1920's.
 
Holy crow that is beautiful! I love the old Marlins with that style buttstock, with the "wavy" grip cap. The local well-heeled collector's gun shop over here has a few of them (centerfires) but I am short by a grand or two.

I'd love to see how that shoots.
 
otherwise are there any stampings on the side of the barrel? How about on the top of the tang below the hammer?

I agree with Gunjunkie, if you shoot it, you should only shoot sub-sonic 22s in it, otherwise you will damage the bolt. With a 5 digit serial number, color case hardened reciever, and octagon barrel ....... your new baby is well over 100 years old(I'm guessing).

I saw one like that at Cabelas in 'The Library', it said Marlin Mod 39 on the tang. I was shocked at the price tag ........ it was about 3 grand !!!!! :what:
 
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I'm wrong about the 100 year old gun. Early Marlin 22s lever guns were named by the year 1891,1892, 1897, and later Model 97. After WWI the Model 39 was introduced, so that would have been around 1920 or 1921. Which definitely means you want to shoot sub-sonic lead 22s in this gun! I read somewhere if it had an HS prefix in the serial you could shoot modern day 22s in it. HS meant High Speed with an improved bolt.

A very lucky find on your part, let us know how she shoots!!
 
My Marlin 39 (Pre-A) s/n S7884 dates to 1927.
I use only Standard velocity ammo and it's no
guaranty the bolt won't break, mine did, rifle
down until I have time to fit a new bolt.

Paid $800 for mine two years ago.

my39-2.jpg
 
Marlin 39 parts?

I'm kind of in a pickle here and hope someone can help me out. The firing pin on my 39 (not 39A) needed replaced so I gave the pin and the breech bolt to a friends dad (self proclaimed gun guru) to find a pin. To make a long story short, I now need a breech bolt and a firing pin. I've checked with all the the online used parts places with no luck. Just throwing this out to see if someone might have an idea.

Thanks in advance.

Matt
 
Ugh. I may be wrong, but I think the bolts are fit at the factory. Mine was engraved with the S/N of the 39.
 
Range Report - POA and POI changes for 50 yard Zero

Range Report: Marlin Mountie, 20" barrel, 1965 Vintage, sighting comparison at various ranges with Federal Value Pack (bulk) ammo, stock iron sights.

21' (7 yards) Point of Impact (POI) ~3/8" below Point of Aim (POA)
25' POI = just below POA
45' (15 yards) POI = ~1/2" above POA
75' (25 yards) POI= ~3/4" above POA
150' (50 yards) POI=POA

This essentially gives me a "Point Blank Zero" beyond 50 yards. More than enough for Grouse - which are the primary field targets for the Marlin. Hold at the base of the neck for shots out to 50 yards and there is a good chance Grouse will be on the menu.

Grouse are the hunting equivalent of fishing for bluegills. Easy but fun, AND tasty. They think they are invisible and will hold very still until you nearly step on them. They seldom fly more than a stone's throw away so if you are paying attention you can see where they land and stalk within easy range. They are gregarious too so if you flush one, he usually has buddies with him. Here in Washington the limit is three and it is not unusual to find a limit or more hanging out together. If you flush one, listen for his buddies. Binoculars will help a lot and once you spot them you don't need to be overly stealthy. Just walk to a spot, not directly at them, to where you'll get an easy and SAFE (not skylined) shot and harvest dinner.

I keep the breasts - no knife required, but it makes it a little easier - (youtube has some how to vids) and the rest - not much- feeds coyotes. I save some feathers to tie some flies. Anyway you would cook a chicken breast works great for Grouse. From easy Ramen and boiled Grouse to Grouse fajitas you'll dine like kings with minimal effort. Lower neck shooting leaves a perfect breast. Even if you center punch them (not so with most centerfire firearms) with your 22 there is minimal damage to the delicious breast meat.

Also, my POI is typically sightly higher when I'm shooting offhand than it is when I'm sitting or using a front rest. Compare your groups so when it the opportunity to put meat in the pot comes along you'll manage it cleanly and efficiently.
 
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Justsaymo,

Oh, without giving up a special spot where are you grouse hunting? I am in Bremerton and would love to get some grouse for dinner.

Have 39, will travel.
 
Received My Mountie Today!

I received my "new" (1968) Mountie today- How sweet it is!. I need advice/guidance in removing the Lyman peep sight which came with it. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

Pete

EDIT - Never mind .... I figured it out. Thanks

Pee
 
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Man I really want to get in this club. I need to find a bucket of money somewhere so I can go buy a 39 preferably a 39M
 
Alde,
Grouse opens the first of September (usually, check regs). Ruffed Grouse inhabit most areas you can deer hunt. They seem to be more abundant in Eastern WA though I've found plenty on the Wet side too. Scout while your hiking in the summer.

At the end of August buy a Bear Tag, put a big bore revolver on your hip and a 39 on your shoulder everytime you go for walk in the woods September 1st thru December. Look for areas with mixed woods, openings and water. Springs and river beds have been productive for me. Somewhere along your path a Grouse will thunder out from underfoot. First look nearby for his buddies. Then go get him.

I've not hunted the Olympic Peninsula so I can't recommend any areas. I generally hunt the area around my property (Okanogan and Colville national forests) but I've come across plenty in the Wenatchee and Cle Elem areas too. They are pretty ubiquitous in our state provided there is some open area and water.

Though I look forward to every Turkey and Elk season I must admit that hunting Grouse with the 39 is probably my favorite. The success rate is high and what better excuse to go walking in the woods with my Mountie. :D
 
During archery deer/elk season in North Idaho, I used to carry a blunt arrow in my quiver for the inevitable ruffed/spruce grouse I would meet while walking almost every day.
When I drove to the nearest town for camp supplies, I kept my loaded 39A next to me, ready for the occasional grouse crouched in the middle of a National Forest logging road, thinking he was invisible.
My grouse were merely wrapped in aluminum foil and covered in campfire coals. Still, they tasted okay. I can't help but wonder what a real chef, using spices and herbs under controlled conditions could make these grouse taste like. I bet it would be amazing.
 
JustsayMo,

Thanks for the info. I have been telling myself I'm going grouse hunting this year for the last 4 years. I just need to get off my butt and do it. I have seen them on both sides of the Olympics. There are plenty of nice fat ones in the park of course. I have also seen them in the area around the Skokomish River.

I have a Williams peep sight on my 39A. Do you use a scope?
 
hey guys ... never posted to a forum before so bear with me ... last week i bought my first 39A .. i believe it was mfg in 1965 .. got it at Cabelas of $295 ... my wife and i liked it so much we started checking around for another for her .... last nite we bought 2 more at the same Cabelas store ... one is 39A, mfg 1954 with Lyman peep sight ($269) i would rate at 90% and the other was perty rough, stock, inside action and bore are very good and clean, but the outside of the barrel has alot of surface rust ($179) and it has a broken firing pin BUT it is a 20" barrel .... so the rough gun is sorta a winter project gun .... hope i didn't get carried away with this post .... i have read about the first 20 pages of post so far in this thread and just could not resist joining ....
 
just checked the pixs size and they are all too big... have to reduce them before i can post them .... oh and btw, while these are my first 39's i have shot a 336 (30-30) for years (that was my moms gun for hunting) ....
 
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