BD:
Well, I'm new to Marlin 39's pretty much, but not new to guns in general. I've owned firearms for over 55 years and have been carrying a concealed weapon, legally, for roughly 45..
My recent love has been the Marlin 39 and it seems there are two opinions as to the desirability of the old vs the new rifles.
FOR ME, ( and I would love to find a very nice older 39 at a fair price) I prefer the guns that were drilled and tapped at the factory. I'm old, and the need for a peep sight (such as a Skinner) or scope is always just beyond the horizon.
I don't know what year the factory "drilling and tapping" started, but IF I were looking I would want one that had been drilled and tapped at the factory.
Front sight hoods are available all over the place (Marlin Co/parts division for one), but paying what amounts to pretty much top dollar for a rifle that is 60 years old and MIGHT have been shot a zillion times (so, hows the rifling?) and has rust, even slight, and the wrong rear sight to boot and even the bullseye screwed up just wouldn't appeal to me.
I believe a lot of folks prefer the 39's that are pre-cross block safety, and pre-rebounding hammer, but there are still a lot of 39's out there that are both drilled and tapped, AND have no cross block safety or rebounding hammer.
THAT would be a rifle that would appeal to me as a casual plinker, not a collector.
For comparison I bought my 39A at a local gun show for $400.00 (OTD).. It's of 1996 vintage, and has the cross block safety and rebounding hammer, but it is an absolute tack driver, and a wonderful pleasure plinker.
I recently purchased a 1970 Century Limited (model 39) that does NOT have the "undesirable's", but IS drilled and tapped... It is absolutely "slicker" as to how the action "feels" than the 39A. But, it's no more accurate, and I paid (too much obviously) 50% more for it than I did the like new 39A.
I'm of 1942 "vintage" so I generally like old stuff, but generally the longer a firearm has been manufactured the more it has PROBABLY been used. And just from the description you give of the one you are considering I would say it has not received the best of maintenance over the years..
Could be wrong, but often a rough external can give you a clue as to how the inside has been treated. Not all the time of course, but it's a good rule of thumb when buying something used, be it a truck, or a firearm.
As I said, I'm a "newbie" to the Marlin 39 rifle, but I have quickly gained an appreciation for their qualities..
Hope you find the Marlin 39 you want, but I'd be of the opinion that you haven't found it yet..
Best Wishes,
Jesse