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39A Date of Birth

41K views 40 replies 33 participants last post by  manic mechanic 
#1 ·
Hello I'm a newbie on this exciting forum.
I just bought an old 39 A but I don't find his date of fabrication.
The serial number is P10040. If someone knows...
Thanks
 
#5 ·
Marlin Dates of Manufacture

Admin 4..
To RFC.
This was a Marlin Date of manufacture list that was being constantly updated on the old Marlin Forum. As you can see, our dearly departed RFC member "Plinker Tom" was also involved with this list as well as the one here on RFC.

As you read it you will see some of the posts and banter as additional info was added!

Might I recommend this being used as a sticky to suppliment the present one. Out of respest to "Plinker Tom" I hesitate to use the word replace!

Regardless..Might I suggest that who ever reads this to make a copy of it!!

Regards, Jack

Marlin year of manufacture maybe determined from the following list of letter/numeral prefixes to the serial number:
1946-C
1947-D
1948-E
1949-F
1950-G
1951-H
1952-J
1953-K
1954-L
1955-M
1956-N
1957-P
1958-R
1959-S
1960-T
1961-U
1962-V
1963-W
1964-Y,-Z
1965-AA
1966-BB
1967-AC
1968-AD, -68
1969-69
1970-70
1971-71
1972-72
Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:
Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75].

:

Originally posted by tomdanl:
Marlin year of manufacture maybe determined from the following list of letter/numeral prefixes to the serial number:
1946-C
1947-D
1948-E
1949-F
1950-G
1951-H
1952-J
1953-K
1954-L
1955-M
1956-N
1957-P
1958-R
1959-S
1960-T
1961-U
1962-V
1963-W
1964-Y,-Z
1965-AA
1966-BB
1967-AC
1968-AD, -68
1969-69
1970-70
1971-71
1972-72
Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:
Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75].

Dali Llama say he understand and appreciate, but think many poster still ask related question.

yeah, probably so. maybe a couple of people will want to copy before it drops off the table...

Where the number is 00, 99, 98 or such, subtract from 2100 to get the year. ie: 2100-99=2001.
Willy

gunjunkie
unregistered posted 10-25-2002 10:51 PM

It's posted in the Hop TO section, under Marlin Talk How to. But know one goes there but me I think..Gunjunkie

marlinman93
Memberposted 10-25-2002 11:47 PM
According to Bill Brophy's book on Marlin history. There are a few corrections.
p-1957
r-1957-58
s-1958-59
u-1960(August)-1961
v-1961(August)-1962
ab-1966(not bb)

Hope this helps.
------------------
mm93
Marlin lever actions, 1870's-1950

plinker Tom
Member posted 10-26-2002 12:06 AM

Hey guys, don't forget about the "B" prefix for the 1940-1941 models. Also keep in mind that this letter(s) code really only applies to the 336 and 39 series lever action rifles prior to 1968. After 1968 all Marlins utilized the same dating prefix you have listed.
From 1962 thru 1968 Marlins rimfire rifles (other than the lever actions) used a two letter date code that was stamped on the barrel. This date code is different than the one already listed, as Marlin rimfire rifles (other than the model 39 series) did not have a serial numbers until required to by law after 1968. The first letter of the date code represented the month of manufacture while the second letter indicated the year. This date code was usually stamped on the left side of the barrel just in front of the receiver. The first letter of the date code is as follows:
A = Jan.
B = Feb.
C = Mar.
D = Apr.
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = Aug.
I = Sep.
J = Oct.
K = Nov.
L = Dec.
The second letter of the date code is as follows:
F = 1962
G = 1963
H = 1964
I = 1965
J = 1966
K = 1967
L = 1968
So a date code of "JK" would indicate that rifle was made in October of 1967. Hope this helps someone.
Tom

GraybushyBuster
Member posted 10-26-2002 12:13 AM
Ed Chabot should put this one in the archive!

Doc Sharptail
Member posted 10-26-2002 02:09 AM
Good data here. Plinker Tom Rocks! Didn't see it here,so I'll add the 1939 Model 39-A
with NO letter prefix- just numbers...
Regards,
Doc Sharptail

tomdanl
Memberposted 10-26-2002 09:11 AM
turned out more involved than I would have thought
Q1. are the letters all upper case? (the only Marlin I have right now is my old M80, which, of course, is uncoded)
2. so rimfire bolt actions are NOT date-coded in any way prior to '62?
3. should I assume that the 1939 code was "A"?
thanks, Tom
[This message has been edited by tomdanl (edited 10-26-2002).]
 
#11 ·
Just wanted to add to this....

I just wanted to contibute to this thread based on recent experience. There are some serial numbers out there that do not conform to any of the conventions mentioned above. I have a 39A with a serial number that is simply "640". Not sure if it's a first year rifle or not. I'm going to write in to the Marlin historian (per the Marlin Customer Service folks) and see what history they can give me on this gun. If I find out a definitive year of manufacture I'll post it here.
 
#12 ·
kcobean...
In the interim maybe you would like to wander over to the Marlin Collector's Association:
http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/index.php

You will have to give a COMPLETE description to whoever you contact as to barrel shape, length and ALL Markings in COMPLETE detail. Also any and all markings on any other metal parts. Note the top of the receiver...any D&T holes and do they go through any letters if they are there. Also the shape of the pistol grip and a description of the butt plate..Does it have the Marlin bullseye??
Pictures (Close up) are a HUGE benefit!!

I too have an "Odd" serial numbered Marlin 39A that I have been trying to track down..

Good luck!!
Regards, Jack
 
#13 ·
Jackz said:
kcobean...
In the interim maybe you would like to wander over to the Marlin Collector's Association:
http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/index.php

You will have to give a COMPLETE description to whoever you contact as to barrel shape, length and ALL Markings in COMPLETE detail. Also any and all markings on any other metal parts. Note the top of the receiver...any D&T holes and do they go through any letters if they are there. Also the shape of the pistol grip and a description of the butt plate..Does it have the Marlin bullseye??
Pictures (Close up) are a HUGE benefit!!

I too have an "Odd" serial numbered Marlin 39A that I have been trying to track down..

Good luck!!
Regards, Jack
Not to wander too far OT, but here are a bunch of pictures of the rifle:

My Marlin
 
#14 ·
kcobean..
Is it a 39 or a 39A??
One thing for sure is it is an EARLY one due to the "square" lever and the "S" shaped pistol grip!! The folks over at Marlin Collector's sure would like to see the pictures!! There are some great knowledgeable folks there!!
In my opinion you would get MUCH more info there than the Factory...Actually there are Marlin historians on that forum!! You should get more feedback that you ever hoped for!!

Do yourself a favor and go there!!

You have a great treasure there!! I think you have to be careful about the ammo in one of them and only use LOW velocity ammo..

Regards, Jack
 
#15 · (Edited)
Jackz said:
kcobean..
Is it a 39 or a 39A??
One thing for sure is it is an EARLY one due to the "square" lever and the "S" shaped pistol grip!! The folks over at Marlin Collector's sure would like to see the pictures!! There are some great knowledgeable folks there!!
In my opinion you would get MUCH more info there than the Factory...Actually there are Marlin historians on that forum!! You should get more feedback that you ever hoped for!!

Do yourself a favor and go there!!

You have a great treasure there!! I think you have to be careful about the ammo in one of them and only use LOW velocity ammo..

Regards, Jack
Hi Jack! It's a 39A. Yep, I posted over at MCA, including links to the pictures. According to vepr762 here on RFC, all 39A rifles were built to take HS ammo, however I doubt I'll shoot much more than standard velocity ammo through it. I do most of my shooting at the NRA HQ here in VA.

Looking forward to what the guys at MCA have to say about it. I'm really excited to have this rifle, and hope to get to shoot it this weekend.

Thanks for your help!
 
#17 ·
How long are normal Marlin 39A serial numbers?
I picked one up today which has a 4 digit number preceded by what I *think* is a J.
I say think because it would only be the lower half of the J. It is about 1/2 the height of the numbers, and it has a little "hook" for lack of a better word going back to the right on the end of the left of the letter.
I'm assuming it's a 1952, but I'm curious because of the length of the other #'s posted here.
Thanks,
Jason
 
#26 ·
need info please

I'm on vacation I have found a 1957. I think that's the year it has a P before the sn gun is in real good condition didn't know they made Mountie that long ago ? What year did they start with the micro grov barrel I am on vac an only have my black berry to do research with. Going to go back an buy the gun in the morning had to figure outy how to fly it home. Got that squared away today. Info would be appericated.
 
#27 ·
I'm on vacation I have found a 1957. I think that's the year it has a P before the sn gun is in real good condition didn't know they made Mountie that long ago ? What year did they start with the micro grov barrel I am on vac an only have my black berry to do research with. Going to go back an buy the gun in the morning had to figure outy how to fly it home. Got that squared away today. Info would be appericated.
1957 was the year Marlin introduced the "Golden" 39a. Microgroove rifling started in 1954. The "Mountie" was introduced, in 1953, but had a 24" barrel which was changed to 20" in 1954.
 
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