Any 39A Experts?

[Ron of Va]

My aunt died and left me her Marlin 22.  She told me years ago, before she died that her father had given her the gun for her 16 or 17 birthday (1938 or 1939).  I am pretty sure it hasn’t been fired in 60 years.

It is a Marlin 39A.  The receiver is not blued, and appears to be case hardened steel.  It has a round barrel, and a four digit serial number (11X3).

My question is that there are two screws on the backstrap that stand proud of the receiver tang.  I don’t think they are supposed to be like that, but I don’t know.  I removed them and they are both the same length, about 3/8”, 8-40 screws.  The hole they are screwed into is not countersunk.  I went to Brownells and Gun-parts.com, and looked at their schematic and the screws are not there.

Can anybody shed some light on these screws? Or the gun?

[Halwg]

Interesting, it sure appears that they are added, as the newer guns don't have them.  I wonder if the gun wore some kind of a tang mounted sight at one time? 

I would also like to hear what the experts have to say.

[mr fixit]

Can't help you with the screws,  comparing it to the picture in Brophys' book it appears to be a Model 39A, 1st Variation made in 1939.  They were case colored with the squared off lever, Someone may have at one time had it drilled for a tang sight.  I didn't read anything in the book about tang sights for that model.  Very nice rifle!  Mr fixit

[Andrew]

Back in the Day, the factory would drill tang sight mounts if you asked them to and paid them. That is one beautiful rifle. Looks earlier than 1939 but that's just my gut feeling.~Andrew

[janott]

Beautiful rifle. No doubt that that the screw holes were there to mount a tang sight, like a marbles. That rifle is old and if possible I would keep an eye out for the missing sight because it might just be laying in her house somewhere. m Good luck.

[gewehr]

Beautiful rifle and very valuable.  S-shaped pistol grip, flat buttplate and squared lever mean it is a 1939 production 1st model 39A made only 1 year before the second variation was introduced in 1940.  Good advice about the tang sight, likely a Marbles was mounted on it at one time.  Great to have relatives that know the value of firearms, how to care for them, and the special meaning to keep them in the family!

[Ron of Va]

Thanks for the replies.  I never considered that a sight would be mounted there.  I will treasure the gun, since it belonged to my grandfather, whom I never met. 

[georgeky]

 Ron 

 Welcome to MO's!

 That is a fine rifle. Your grandpa knew a good thing when it came along and you are a very fortunate man to have this one. Like said it is a 1 year only production and worth a good price and much more than that in sentiment.

 Cherish that thing and hand it down the line. It will last for many decades yet.

[janott]

Beautiful rifle and very valuable.  S-shaped pistol grip, flat buttplate and squared lever mean it is a 1939 production 1st model 39A made only 1 year before the second variation was introduced in 1940.  Good advice about the tang sight, likely a Marbles was mounted on it at one time.  Great to have relatives that know the value of firearms, how to care for them, and the special meaning to keep them in the family!

If your unable to find the original tang sight you could do some research and see what Marlin had during that time period, one could be located and purchased to complete the package.

Joe

[Ron of Va]

From what I can determine, the correct sight for the 1st year model 39 was the Marbles M3 tang sight or the M3S.  See page 649 here.
http://books.google.com/books?id=a9XL74ykUykC&pg=PA649&lpg=PA649&dq=marbles+tang+m3+sights&source=bl&ots=jD68QpWkgG&sig=5XYty99VGYFQm87eQKX8XLRYous&hl=en&ei=AHUJS42xNZmwMqy96ewO&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false

The holes are 1.125 center to center.  (I also got help from RimfireCentral)  I am on the hunt, I want that sight! 
Thanks everyone for the help. 

[janott]

Ron of Va,

The one your looking for is similar to the one on the top left of page 648. Tang peep sight, maker unknown.  This sight is similar to the Marbles tang peep and what you will be looking for. The distance from hole to hole will be of help locating. You might see if you can locate some fist year model 39's in a museum that have the sight still on and get an idea from there.

Joe

[Ron of Va]

Ron of Va,

The one your looking for is similar to the one on the top left of page 648. Tang peep sight, maker unknown.  This sight is similar to the Marbles tang peep and what you will be looking for. The distance from hole to hole will be of help locating. You might see if you can locate some fist year model 39's in a museum that have the sight still on and get an idea from there.

Joe

It is odd that the sight pictured on page 648 that says it was for the Model 39, and illustrates a tang sight with very close hole spacing.  I think my hole mounting “spread” is greater that what is shown.

There was a response to my post over at RimFireCentral, which illustrates a group of tang sights that appear to have the same mounting spread, and according to the poster, my gun could have even come with a Lyman with an “H” stamped on the bottom.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308317

I think the search will get tricky.  I really do want a tang sight that would be original to the period. I don’t have any firearms museums around here, but I think I will eventually stumble across the correct tang sight at a gun show, or on Gunbroker, etc.  . 

My son has a son, so you can guess where this Marlin 39A is going.   

I really do appreciate all the knowledgeable people who have given advice.  Good guys all.