[SgtDog0311]

Hi All,

Picked up my first 39a yesterday. Overall look is excellent but don't believe it is a collectors item and here's why I say that and why I'm perplexed.

NOMECLATURE:
Serial Number is Dxxx.
-would lead me to think 1947.
Butt stock has no pistol grip cap.
-leads me to think 1951 (3rd Variation)
Blueing excellent but barrel stamps of the model on side of barrel are shallow as if very very worn.
-Leads me to think someone rubbed out some rust/pitting and reblued.
The bore is excellent with about 6/7 LANs/grooves.
-I don't know enough about microgrooved barrels to say if this is Ballard or MG but I'm guessing MG.
-again, leads you to a 1951 or later, right?

So, big disparity between SN on Reciever and stock characteristics and barrel evidence. I'm guessing this is cabbaged together but whoever did it produced an aweful nice looking finished product.

Will buy a brick today and test it out. I'm limited to my iPhone right now or I'd post a pic.

Anyone have other ideas?

John ???

 

[1895Gunner]

Sounds interesting. The 1947 is correct for the metal work, hard to say on the stock. Some folks restocked for their preference. Either way, nice find! BTW, welcome to MO from central Florida!

 

[MarlinXL7]

It's definitely got Ballard rifling. It reminds me of a 39A I saw at a gunshow--they seller told me it was made in the late 80s/early 90s, and it had a newer style stock, but the receiver was missing the safety, which makes me think that it's a lot older.

BTW, did you post from your iPhone? Your standards of punctuation are a lot higher than most iPhone users... ;D

 

[SgtDog0311]

Thanks for the welcome. Might need a shrink instead though. Bought my first Marlin (and 1st lever ) just a couple months ago, stainless 45-70, and didn't have it a day before dreaming of a 30-30. Hadn't even left the show last weekend with my used 336rc than I was lusting after the 39a. Beginning to think i might be a candidate for an 'intervention'.

On the editing, I go to mail and then copy & paste. I make so many errors that this is a necessity for me. I'm not entirely sure I couldn't do a photo but I do know my reception here in the Idaho Panhandle would not suffice.

 

[gewehr]

Hi John, and welcome! the second variation 39A did not have a pistol grip cap or white buttplate spacer either! I think you have an original 39A from 1947, ballard rifled, and possibly reblued - but, sometimes the barrel markings from this era were faint. Are any illegible? Is the front site dovetailed or ramp? this helps distinguish 2nd from 3rd variation, supposedly starting with "E" prefix in 1948. Additionally, the 3rd variation was factory drilled for receiver sights. You may have an early 3rd, but it could be a late 2nd variation also (rebluing could have covered the case hardened receiver?). You can remove the buttstock to see if it is original; the serial number will be burned into the wood near tang location. Straight shooting to you!

 

[SgtDog0311]

Thanks gewehr,
That's encouraging. The following is a quote from another thread on this site: "Model 39A 3rd Model 1st Variation
Blued receiver, new ramp front sight, hard rubber buttplate, and Ballard rifling. Mfg. 1946-1950".
But on the same entry they state: "Model 39A 3rd Model 3rd Variation similar to 3rd Model 2nd Variation, except has Micro-Groove rifling, and no pistol grip cap. Mfg. 1954-57".
The pistol grip cap was what threw me, although not enough to put the wallet away.
If I understand "dovetailed" correctly I'd say "yes". There are two screws, front and back of the front site which traverses or adjusts along a dovetailed track.
The stamp on the barrel is quite legible just not what I'm accustomed to from the other Marlins I've seen these last months. So if there was a period when these were not so crisp, that is very positive.
I'll pull the butt-stock when I get back to Oklahoma where my screw drivers are.
Other than what I thought were inconsistencies & questions I have noted here there is nothing to make one think the piece has been altered. Even the glueing looks original, just way beyond my expectations for 64 years... I look way worse and I'm only 56.
Thanks Again!
John

 

[Catherine]

Welcome to the Marlin Owners forum!

Congrats on your Marlin 39A.

Catherine

 

[S.B.]

Sarg, some pix(up close and personal) sure would be nice, please?
Steve

 

[janott]

Sounds interesting, and like all others I'm looking forward to a picture. ;D ;D ;D

 

[Radar 1]

Here's my '47-S.N. D4XX . It has been restored by me, but is original with the exception of the tang sight. It was bought from our next door neighbor in 1966 in poor but serviceable condition. The older gentleman had bought it new from Sears, and it had resided in the corner of his garage as a pest gun. Dad fixed her up a little and gave it to me on my 9th birthday.
It has no grip cap, and the front sight is a 2 screw ramp with a dovetailed gold bead blade. If yours has MG rifling it'll say so on the barrel, mine's Ballard, and I'd bet yours is as well. It is also drilled and tapped for a receiver sight with plug screws. Marlin has done a lot of variations over the years, seems nothing is set in stone. Enjoy it, the old 39A's are great rifles.

Looking forward to some pics!

 

[stubbfarmer]

Sounds to me like you bought a very nice 1947 rifle. No grip cap is right. You have Ballard rifling which is correct. It sounds like you have a ramp front sight which is right. As someone else said the roll stamp an these guns was allot lighter than later guns so that sounds right. Originally there was a round front sight hood on it. You can get one from Numrichs part number 1151450. Enjoy your new gun.

 

[SgtDog0311]

Radar, thanks for the picture... And everyone, thanks for the input all-round. Yesterday I was satisfied with a patched-together 39A but today am believing it's an extemely well cared for 1947. Yesterday i was pleased but today I'm pumped!!! I stopped at the Pony Express in Coure d Alene and they had several. Comments here and Radar's picture make me think I got an original product. I will post pictures when back in OK. I just tried with my iPhone but the option was not available. Until Then... Thanks Again for your input.

 

[Radar 1]

No problem. I had a feeling you had the real deal from your description.

 

[SgtDog0311]

Got to put 60 or so rounds through my (new to me) 39A. Shoots as good as I do and is as much fun as I anticipated but for one problem, which I'll post under another title. It occurs probably once in ten rounds: shell ejects fine but bolt seems to hang at the full open.
The lever is fully open, ejection has occurred, no round has yet fed and the ejector on the left side of the bolt is extended into the chamber. The bolt and lever locks or hangs there. I say the bolt is fully open but that's not quite the case. If I pinch the open bolt between thumb and forefinger, and 'pull back', maybe a 1/4"; or in two cases, just depressing the ejector with a thin tool, the jam clears and the lever becomes free and feed of new round resumes. Any ideas on what I should focus on? Really like this piece and want clear this nuisance.

 

[SgtDog0311]

Re: Care to speculate on this 39a? (UPDATE)

This update is not really on the 39a so much as to add pictures to this old post. Several of you who offered input asked for some, Radar even added his own and I always like to see other's pics - so here are mine. I posted earlier that I just bought a new 1895STBL 45/70 in December, (my first lever action) and now find myself in need of an "intervention". Well here is why; it's only March and for three months I just couldn't get enough. I've spent more than I care to admit. Even now that I have four Marlins I am thinking about the .308.

Anyway, I just got back to my computer from the Idaho Panhandle, where I could post these, so that's how come the delay. I think I got a square deal on all of these (1947 39A, 1953 30-30 & 1955 .35REM); not an exceptional deal on any but fair deal, and now that the money's spent I've no regrets. As money and supplies allow I'm anxious to start reloading for some of these and trying out some the variables.

I got to dial back on the checkbook though, that's for sure!!!