Favorite Firearms: A Marlin 39 Legacy

by
posted on January 14, 2025
grandfather with twin grandsons holding Marlin 39A
NRA member Donald E. Brandt (ctr.) with grandsons and a passed-down Marlin 38A rifle.
Photo courtesy of author.

I am standing here with my twin 17-year-old great-grandsons. Tyler, on the right, is holding a Marlin 39A rifle I bought as a 16-year-old in 1948 and have, at his request, gifted it to him. It is in excellent condition, retaining its original accuracy, with the stocks refinished by Turnbull. Matteo, on the left, is holding his 39A, which is in like-new condition. I gifted him this rifle as purchased at a gun show. I am holding a new, unfired 39A that, as fortune would have it, was manufactured in the same year as the one I purchased in 1948.

Both of these young men, as well as my two sons, have been brought up learning to shoot with my original 39A and have chosen the same model for their own .22 rimfires. We live on sufficient land to have rifle, pistol and trap ranges. Our family is a shooting family—sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all shoot if older than 6 years old.

My old 39A, with thousands of rounds through it, has served as early training and then recreational equipment, including hunting. I was a very proud teenager when I bought this rifle 77 years ago, and I expect (hope?) Tyler will get a chance to hand it down to his great-grandchild after another 77 years.

—Donald E. Brandt

Latest

Fn Americana 545 Tactical Giveaway
Fn Americana 545 Tactical Giveaway

The Great FN Gun Giveaway At NRAAM 2025

Here’s a chance to win a custom, one-of-a-kind FN 545 Tactical pistol at the 154th NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits, April 24-27, in Atlanta, Ga. No purchase necessary.

Training With Moving Targets

Most target shooters understand static or bullseye-type stationary targets quite well, but did you know that adding motion into your training routine will improve practical marksmanship and the skills necessary to conquer defensive situations?

USA Shooting Celebrates 30th Anniversary

USA Shooting marks a historic milestone in April as it celebrates 30 years as the national governing body for international shooting sports within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Rifleman Review: Rock River Arms LAR-15M .17 HMR

Building a reliable semi-automatic rifle chambered for the .17 HMR can be a challenge, but Rock River Arms seems to have solved the issue with its unique RRA .17 HMR AR-style rifle.

New For 2025: Tanfoglio Hexagon Tactical & Hexagon P

Tanfoglio manufactures CZ 75 pattern pistols in a variety of forms, and for 2025, the company is adding two new variants to its lineup with the Hexagon Tactical and Hexagon P.

See New Guns & Gear At The NRA's Annual Meetings In Georgia

Freedom-loving American patriots gather every spring at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits to celebrate their liberty and check out the newest crop of guns, optics, ammunition and accessories. This year, 2025, the fun will take place in Atlanta, Ga.—we hope to see you there!

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.