Does anybody know when Marlin started putting the inspection holes in the left side of the Model 39 receivers?

Yuck.

I'm pretty sure Marlin started with the hole in 1979. It is to let gases escape should a case rupture.

Wow, that long ago? I really must not have been paying attention. There are at least two holes, one right at the chamber and another next to the follower so the orange plastic follower shows through. I figured it was to allow one to see a round in the chamber or in the magazine.

And to think not one of mine have any holes, what a darn shame.


It's seems all of mine only have a hole at the end of the barrels, must be something wrong with them.

the inspection hole was added more recently, the gas release hole was added in 1979, but the other somewhere in the last 10 years but I dont know for sure.