Marlin Model 39 & Groundhogs

Earlier this week I used my old Marlin Model 39 (not 39A) with a 4-digit serial number made in the 1920s or 1930s. It is wearing a very nice, classic Lyman Alaskan scope (2.5 power) from the World War II era. I also used this rifle combination last year to very good effect on squirrels (as was posted on the Small Game or Upland Hunting forum).

With this young groundhog I think I have finally wiped out (temporarily, but most likely not permanently) the rodents from my old tobacco barn. Having a “dirt floor” and plenty of openings to animals from the nearby woods and crop fields it seems to be a natural place for groundhogs to set up and raise a family.

The tally this spring was one young hog with my S&W M63 .22 caliber revolver plus three young ones and the sow with my Marlin M39. All were relatively close shots, the farthest being about 8 yards away. The closest was with the S&W and was only about 3 feet away. It was all about patience, setting up in the barn itself, waiting for the pesky animals to stick out their head from one of several burrows. One day about two weeks ago I got lucky and got a double with my rifle on two young hogs. That Marlin 39 really has a slick action! Its accuracy isn’t bad either. I just need to remember to aim a little bit high at very close range.

The picture was taken the next day out in the corn field. Previously the groundhogs placed there were gone during the night, probably making a few meals for the coyotes.

Nice rifle! Congrats Bill!

When I lived in Evansville, had a neighbor that had the exact same .22 rifle model ( Marlin Model 39). He said it was the BEST Squirrel rifle he'd ever owned.

Good looking rifle cedar.... Looks to be very well taken care of...

Guys, thanks for the compliments. With the low-power scope mounted somewhat forward on the barrel, I regard the Marlin 39 as my special Scout/Sniper rifle. It works pretty well for relatively close encounters with 4-legged critters in the small game and varmint categories.

The rifle is just like I bought it several years ago, except I replaced the Lyman Alaskan scope with another one of the same model and vintage. The barrel had been professionally drilled for a standard Redfield one-piece scope base and it had low rings for the 7/8 inch diameter scope. I do not know if the bottom of the scope base had been specially contoured for the Marlin barrel. However, the old Redfield base fits the top of the Marlin barrel like it was factory made for it. I do not plan to take it off just to find out.

(See pic added to original post.)

Great piece of history to go with that rifle. They don't make them like that anymore...