1939 Marlin39a first year of production

[Brianbac3]

So my father just received this old Marlin39a from an old family friend for doing a bunch of work at his house. From what I can tell this is a 1939 first year production 39a with no serial number prefix. I wanted to clean it up a little and was curious on recommendations for cleaning and reoiling the stock and maybe polishing the receiver. Also what is the approximate value.

thanks for any info

 

[Gary W. Strange]

Wow! That is a very nice 39A. A first year production, value in that condition, would be up there. I would have no idea on value. As far as the receiver, I would just use a light gun oil. I use break through on my stuff, because it leaves a light film. On the stock, I have good results using orange glow on dry stocks. It will do wonders for the dry wood and condition it.

 

[Speedo66]

Beautiful case colors still on the receiver, I wouldn't touch it except to apply oil or another preservative.

Might want to consult with a shop that handles collectables before you do anything.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Welcome to THR
That is a high condition 39A.
With good condition screws, wood that has not been over oiled or shrunk,
and a take-down knob untouched by pliers to boot!

I'd recommend Howard's Feed N' Wax for the wood. Furniture care section of most any store.

Polishing the receiver would only further mute (if not destroy) the case colors on it.
No restoration will bring back the brightness of those colors short of having them re-done
and there is no need to do that.

Since you do not mention your level of firearms cleaning experience, I'll second having a
shop that deals with higher end guns take a look at it for cleaning/care advice.

Thanks for sharing, JT

 

[FL-NC]

That looks like a real gem. I would thoroughly clean the bore with a solvent like Hoppes, using a bore snake followed by Otis pull thru with patches. Then, I would clean the exterior and remove any contaminates/oxidation with Flitz metal polish and a soft buffing cloth, like flannel or an old sweat shirt, or something for detailing a car. Then some lubrication on the internal parts. Follow up with a light coat of oil on the exterior metal, then full stop.

 

[Mosin77]

I would be very careful “polishing” the receiver. Once those case colors are gone, it’s gone forever, and they’re only original once. I’d lightly hit any rust spots with oil (any kind, even 3-in-1 will do) and 0000 steel wool, and that would be that. I like to use Briwax on my stocks -just like other nice furniture.

 

[Brianbac3]

Thank you all for the reply’s. I wasn’t really looking to “polish” it or remove any of the natural aging process. I more or less wanted to clean it up and make sure it’s protected to keep any more aging from happening. I also wanted to clean up and re oil the stock. I haven’t broken it apart yet, but it seems to be pretty clean for it’s age. I honestly can’t wait to put some rounds through it.

 

[3Crows]

Ballistol everywhere. I doubt the stock was oiled, it looks like a varnish finish. As has been suggested, some furniture cleaner/preservatives might be appropriate for the wood. I would not use any steel wool or abrasives on the metal.

Nice gift .

3C

 

[BullRunBear]

Welcome to the forum. Tons of good information here.

I would think a 39A first year manufacture in that condition would go for $1,300, maybe more, based on an auction sight I saw. But that's just a suggestion. The market is weird right now. Looks like there are areas of original finish on the stock you might want to preserve. Certainly take care of the case hardened colors as others have said.

I prefer Renaissance Wax and use it on wood and metal. I've used it on my black powder guns for years and refresh it after each cleaning. Excellent results and never a speck of rust. I also use it on older military surplus rifles, some over a century old. Their cosmetic look is only okay at best (they are great mechanically) but the wax has kept them from getting worse. I'm no expert, just mentioning what's worked for me.

Jeff

 

[Brianbac3]

So I broke it down and it isn’t bad inside. It had a decent amount of gunk from sitting so long. Whoever opened it last made sure to put some grease on those moveable parts and the dirt cling to it over time. I was going to use my typical cleaning kit to clean it up and remove all the old gunk. I watched a video of an old timer very familiar with this rifle who said to put a small amount of grease on the finger lever and that area. I looked down the barrel and it looked very smooth. As mentioned above I ordered a Otis pull through to clean the barrel.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

You literally cannot break a 39A.

Toughest, best .22s ever made. Tanks and works of art all at once.

 

[Bayou52]

I would describe my Model 39a Golden Mountie as an outstanding example of modern industrial artwork.

It’s a pleasure even to simply look at it…



Bayou52

 

[Remington1911]

The "gunk" is likely old grease. I battled this on an auto 5 not too long ago, had just sat around for decades. They liked grease in the old days, and I like it today.

I am with others give it a good just general cleaning and call it a day. Might take a peak down its nose and see what is what.

As to value, I have not bought an "old" 22 in quite a while, but I would not be shocked to see that one on the shelf at over a grand back then. Should be a minimum now.

 

[Brianbac3]

I figured that gunk was old grease. I looked down the barrel and it’s clean. As for the value I was just curious. My father is giving it to me to keep since he only goes to the range with me. I’m just getting my 7 1/2 year old boy into shooting and this thing will be perfect for him. It’s going to mist likely end up being his.

 

[Dustbowl]

It’s a 1000 dollar plus rifle. Don’t do anything to it. Maybe rub it down with a lightly oiled cloth. Anything you do to it over that will only destroy value. Collectors are a weird bunch and they want items as original as possible.

 

[.45Coltguy]

That's a beauty. I believe that's the only one I've seen with a CCH reciever. Really nice gift. I have a '57 39A that doesn't look as nice, but, I like it. Enjoy that one.

 

[Frulk]

SP Fjestad Blue Book of Gun Values 40th Anniversary Edition list values as the following.

Model 39A-case hardened-no manufacturer prefix. Made 1939 only.

100%. $2650
98%. $2350
95%. 1850
90%. $1350
80%. $950
70%. $775
60%. 650

Grading conditions are very exact. I’m no expert in grading but your gun looks to be around the 90% tile based on what level of detail is available in your pics. Others may take issue with my assessment. The book does have many color pictures of guns in various conditions with an experts rating of condition of each firearm shown. Well worth the money for folks who are into the firearm hobby.

PS: 39A’s have a cult following and these prices are based on observed transactions. That’s not to say that a collector wouldn’t pay more for a gun such as yours in a particular condition. It is after all an example of a first year release.

 

[Dr T]

The hard decision is whether to treat it like a shooter or a museum piece. It may be a tough call with a 7 1/2 year old boy in the mix.

 

[Roverguy]

Sweet! I have an 1892, its precursor. Favorite rifle.

 

[Brianbac3]

So I used a cleaner and brushed and picked all the gunk out of the inside. After that I put a light coat of grease inside. Then I cleaned up all the light rust on the barrel on the outside. Then I cleaned the stock with a mild cleaner. Tomorrow I will go over the whole outside with a light coat of renaissance wax as someone mentioned above. I will definitely be shooting this thing a little bit.

 

[johnmcl]

Brian, Thanks for the updates and the photos. Remember, that those 39As are meant to be shot. There is more smiles per ounce of gun weight with those rifles than anything I can think of.

Find the Marlin 39A Club thread for great reading on this web site.

 

[Brianbac3]

Cleaned the barrel with an Otis pull through set up. Then coated the entire exterior in Renaissance Wax. Going to try to hit the range tomorrow and see what grouping I can get at 50yds.

 

[JJFitch]

My first .22 is the Golden 39A I bought with my paper route money for my 13th birthday! It has the Micro-groove rifling and shoots like a drill motor. Growing up near "the woods" led me to become a "sharpshooter" at cotton tails, jacks and squirrels!

Thank you for sharing the story of your original M39! Taking the conservative approach of "restoring" this piece! All too often mis-informed heirloom owners turn $2000 guns into $500 guns by over loving them!

Buy your son a Henry .22 lever gun to learn on and give him the family heirloom as an adult to keep the legacy going!

 

[Brianbac3]

50 yds out

 

[Frulk]

That 39A cleaned up nice.