1973 Marlin 39M

[Ret-Sarge]

Here's a 1973 Marlin Original Golden - 39M my father purchased new from the Rod & Gun Club at Zaragoza AB, Spain in 73. It was the first gun I carried for hunting, I was responsible for its upkeep and cleaning from 75-77 while we were stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

He bought the sling at the same time and they've been together since. The rifle has the Bullseye decoration on the bottom of the buttstock, which Marlin has done to walnut stocked guns for sometime. Pain to get a picture of it due to the sling.

The scope is some cheap TASCO thing my dad put on it to shoot rats, possum, and other varmints from the porch later in life. It has been removed since the pictures were taken.

I inherited the rifle in Sept 2011 a week or so prior to my dads passing. The gun was stored in less than desirable conditions for some years prior to me getting it. So it took some work getting her cleaned up and looking presentable again.

[Phosphorus32]

A classic lever action Marlin rifle. It’s great to have that connection to your father 

[carls sks]

very neat to have something from your dad. 

[echo1]

That's a great connection. I've given guns to my sons for their birthdays & Christmas since they were teenagers. PAX

[Ret-Sarge]

A classic lever action Marlin rifle. It’s great to have that connection to your father 

It's the gun I learn to shoot and hunt on.

His introducing me to firearms was less than cordial. As a scrawny 9 year old, he put a JP Sauer & Sohn Western Marshall in 44 magnum in my hands. I pulled the trigger and buried the hammer in my forehead. That was followed by a Parker Hale 270 with a scope, which I promptly busted my eye open with the recoil of the scope (I looked like Petey the dog from the Little Rascals). Then a Remington 1100 12 guage, followed by a Winchester Model 94 Antique,  then lastly the 22.

After a bloody head,  bloody eye, bruised shoulder, and being damn near deaf, he informs I will learn the 22 inside and out, maintain it, shoot a brick throught it everytime we go out until I am proficient with it,  then I will learn to hunt with it.

My mom asked him if he beat me, he said no, I thought the boy proper respect for firearms. He'll never forget those lessons, and you know what.......I never did forget those lessons.

[Ret-Sarge]

Double post.