Marlin Model 39 Standard Rifle .22 S/L/LR Lever-Action, 24-inch Octagon Barrel, 1920s Takedown with Color Case-Hardened Receiver
This early Marlin Model 39 Standard Rifle stands out as a collector-worthy pre-39A production piece from the 1920s. It is an early, pre-prefix serial example with the desirable takedown design, a 24-inch octagon barrel, and a full-length tubular magazine. The receiver retains its color case-hardened finish with a blued barrel, and the rifle is set up with classic iron sights and period-correct features that will appeal to Marlin enthusiasts.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There is some wear, pitting, and discoloration present. It remains in great shape for its age.
What’s Included
- Marlin Model 39 Standard Rifle (.22 S/L/LR)
Manufactured in the 1920s, this Model 39 is a pre-39A production rifle that collectors seek out. It is an early, pre-prefix serial example dating to approximately 1921–1925, built in the USA, and configured as a takedown. The flat-sided receiver with multiple sideplate screws and the correct tang markings — "Marlin" and "MOD. 39" — align with early production features.
The rifle wears a 24-inch octagon barrel with a full-length tubular magazine rated for 18 rounds. The barrel is rollmarked ".22 S-L & L.R" along with the Marlin Firearms Corporation/New Haven address. An early knurled magazine-tube end plug/latch is present, reflecting the period-correct hardware used on these first-year style guns.
Construction and finish are classic Marlin of the era: a steel receiver originally color case-hardened paired with a blued barrel. The action is lever-operated, consistent with the Model 39 Standard Rifle series and its role as a versatile .22 S/L/LR platform.
Furniture is straight-grip walnut with a plain walnut forend capped in steel, complemented by a checkered steel "Marlin" buttplate. Sighting is traditional and practical, with a dovetailed blade front and an adjustable rear leaf with a stepped elevator. Length of pull measures 13.5 inches, offering a balanced fit in a timeless small-bore lever-action.