Make: Marlin

Model: 39

Serial Number: 8319

Year of Manufacture: 1922-1936 / C&R

Caliber: .22 Short, Long & Long Rifle

Action Type: Lever Action Takedown Rifle, Tube Magazine Fed

Barrel Length: 22 3/4" Octagonal. Replacement Barrel. The markings are hand engraved and not stamped.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade, dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight dovetail is filled with a blank. The top of the receiver and left side of the receiver are drilled, tapped, and filled for receiver sights, none present. The tang is installed with a folding Lyman tang sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece smooth walnut set with a capped forearm, Marlin S-shape pistol grip, straight comb, and Marlin checkered black hard rubber buttplate. The belly has a Marlin “Bullseye”. There are light handling marks. There is a crack in the belly of the buttstock on both sides of the bullseye. The stock fits shy at the receiver and tangs. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks rate in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Colored

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong throughout. The case color is vibrant. The action shows faint operational wear. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as custom.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This rifle has a half-cock safety. The action is smooth and the trigger is crisp. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Marlin Model 39 was introduced in the early 1920s as the successor to the Model ’97, continuing the company’s established takedown, side-ejecting rimfire lever-action design. Chambered for .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle, the Model 39 became the direct ancestor of the long-running Model 39A. Early rifles combined an octagonal barrel, case-colored receiver, walnut furniture, and exposed-hammer action in a configuration that remains highly recognizable to Marlin collectors.

This custom example has been comprehensively refinished and is fitted with a 22 3/4-inch replacement octagonal barrel bearing hand-engraved rather than factory-stamped markings. It retains about 97% of its current blue and case-colored finish. The folding Lyman tang sight is a desirable period-style addition, the bore rates 9/10 with sharp rifling and no erosion, and the action is smooth with a crisp trigger and properly functioning half-cock safety. This is an attractive and mechanically sound custom restoration of an early Marlin rimfire lever rifle, well suited to the collector who values presentation and shooting condition.