Marlin 39 value and ?
A neighbor brought me a Marlin 39 to clean for him and give him a guestimate on the value. It had been his father's gun and my neighbor recently received it when his older brother passed away.
It is an original 39, serial number 4XXX. I believe it has a 24" (eyeballed, not measured) octagonal barrel with the full length magazine tube. It was expertly reblued in the 60's when his brother inherited it. It is probably the best polishing/rebluing job I've ever seen. The flats and edges on the barrel are all perfect and the lettering is still crisp. The wood is in good shape. There are no cracks, gouges or bruising and it is still proud/flush against the metal. Unfortunately, it has been refinished and the original butt plate has been replaced with a newer one. The bore is heavily pitted with a trace of rifling. It works as it should and is in mechanically good condition.
My questions:
At 60% Blue Book says it is over $1000. It also says finding an original 39 in good shape is rare because the people that bought them, used them. That in mind, the rebluing has me stumped as to value. How much does rebluing this gun hurt the value? And, what % condition do you think it should be given. I didn't take pictures of it when he was here, but can take some and post them if it will help.
Also, he has asked me too find him an original, or a replica, butt plate. Research has revealed the first production run of rifles had a plain ridged no-name butt plate and that they changed to a smooth "Marlin" butt plate soon after. I suspect from the Serial No. that it is a first run gun but can't verify it. Can anyone advise if this belongs in the first group that had the plain butt plate?
Thanks in advance
It is an original 39, serial number 4XXX. I believe it has a 24" (eyeballed, not measured) octagonal barrel with the full length magazine tube. It was expertly reblued in the 60's when his brother inherited it. It is probably the best polishing/rebluing job I've ever seen. The flats and edges on the barrel are all perfect and the lettering is still crisp. The wood is in good shape. There are no cracks, gouges or bruising and it is still proud/flush against the metal. Unfortunately, it has been refinished and the original butt plate has been replaced with a newer one. The bore is heavily pitted with a trace of rifling. It works as it should and is in mechanically good condition.
My questions:
At 60% Blue Book says it is over $1000. It also says finding an original 39 in good shape is rare because the people that bought them, used them. That in mind, the rebluing has me stumped as to value. How much does rebluing this gun hurt the value? And, what % condition do you think it should be given. I didn't take pictures of it when he was here, but can take some and post them if it will help.
Also, he has asked me too find him an original, or a replica, butt plate. Research has revealed the first production run of rifles had a plain ridged no-name butt plate and that they changed to a smooth "Marlin" butt plate soon after. I suspect from the Serial No. that it is a first run gun but can't verify it. Can anyone advise if this belongs in the first group that had the plain butt plate?
Thanks in advance
0
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Rebluing generally places a gun in the "0% original finish" and "fair" categories.
Pictures would really help.0 -
Between the bore being in bad shape and the refinished exterior. Not much going for it as far as collector interest. Doubtful with pitted eroded bore it would have much value as a shooter, even. 0 -
JHC; what does "Original " and "Reblued " , not compute.
$100.000 -
The 39 is not my favorite, but I know people that just love them. If it were mine I'd consider having the bbl lined, at least then it should be a nice shooter. My guess is that the bbl was draw filed not polished. 0 -
The reblueing combined with the shot out barrel hurts it pretty good. Around here it would probably sell for $250, not much more unless you found a sucker. you sure the barrel is shot out and pitted not just gummed up and dirty? It could have been a good one, a grand is not out of order on an early 39.
HTH0 -
You might get some more help here. Lots of old Marlin knowledge there.
http://www.marlinowners.com/0
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