Gun Show Oddity

[USGI]

Is the only difference between yours and the earlier one, the gold colored trigger and the sling swivels? Everything else looks to be the same. Not sure if my brother's has a shorter barrel, maybe the picture just makes it look like it. - Bob

[Aragorn243]

These 22's went through a lot of small changes over the years. My first one was purchased in the 80's and is a Golden 39A. These have a pistol grip, a curved lever and a 24 inch barrel. The Mountie has been made side by side with the standard 39A through much of the production. The main difference is the straight stock, square lever and a 20 inch barrel. I have another Golden 39A which is an earlier one but I haven't pulled it from the safe to see what year. This one's been refinished by me because it had severe exterior rust issues. Thinking about it, this rifle was my first restoration effort. Rust was so bad I lost the last quarter inch of the hammer. I've thought about replacing the hammer but it works so I've left it alone. After I got the pitting polished out, I had it professionally reblued. Internals are fine but the exterior was really bad. It was given to me by my mother in law and had been in a closet that had a leak along the outer wall. This one has a much heavier fore stock. If you check the Marlin pages, they outline the timeline for the rifles there.

[USGI]

If you check the Marlin pages, they outline the timeline for the rifles there.

OK, sounds like they have serial numbers, or at least model numbers that will help figure out when made. I checked the BB of gun values and it gives a time period of '53-'57 for the one I pictured - I know their information is not always accurate. Thanks! - Bob

[USGI]

Found out today the s/n prefix on the "39A-Mountie" shown in post #8 is "N" - manufactured in 1956. - Bob