Dad had 3 long guns, some revolvers and some recurves. No shotgun.
His three rifles were:
- Marlin 39 (estimate 1922-1926, octogon bbl, color case), w/slim fixed scope 4x ???
- Pre-64 Winchester 94 30-30, iron sights only
- Remington 722 .257 Rob, peep sight (no scope). If
Remington's history is correct, it would have been a 1948 rifle.
I'd have to give some thought what I'd go with for centerfire but from what I have:
- Dad's Marlin 39 (currently irons only)
- Ithaca 37 12G Mod 30" (corncob, no vent rib)
- Tossup here ??? (scratching head, furrowed brow, beads of sweat forming on forehead, starting to tremble ...)
A note on the 39. The early ones have a slimmer profile and the octogon barrel weighs less than bull barrels that came later, yet still very accurate. Handles and carries like a dream. I wish Marlin made them again without any silly "commemorative" googaw like recessed buttons, badges or silly gaudy letters and extra writing. Just like they were pre-1939 save the improved/strengthened bolt.