I found a beautiful 39 that was made before scopes were common on .22s. Now, at 76, I can't hit anything with iron sights, so a scope is mandatory for me.

This gun has two tapped holes about 2 1/2" apart on the left side of the receiver that look like they were made for a side mount. Does anyone know WHAT side mount that would be and if they are still made? I'll buy this gun if I can scope it without altering it!

Any ideas, knowledge gratefully accepted!

browse through here

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-ma...ifles-marlin/39-series-2/39a-early-model

Could you post a picture of the receiver holes? Are they vertical or horizontal?
The only factory side mount scope rail I recall for the 39’s were the ones that mounted to the barrel. I believe they only did that a couple years and then went to the factory holes on top of the receiver. If your holes are vertical and not horizontal then that is for a side mount aperture site.

Jim, I haven't bought the gun and won't until I can figure out the scope deal. It's 'way too nice to modify, and I'll only buy it if I can scope it without modification. Still lookin' for an appropriate mount

Are the holes on the side of the action vertical or are they horizontal? That’s the important question to see if there is a mount.

The holes are horizontal--straight into the action body as though they were meant to fasten something to the side of the receiver. Filled with headless plug screws and appear to be factory.

I think this thread might have your answer.
It seems they did factory drill for a side scope mount for a couple years.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661369

Mesa, I'm curious if you got your Marlin back in action. I share your iron sight issues. Been moving to peep sights and may give a red dot a try soon.

there was a side mount for a 39 i just cant remember the make. in 46 / 47 /48 / sears had marlin d&t the barrel for a scope mount .

Since the receiver is flat it should be a fairly straightforward operation to have a mount made from aluminum angle and a flat bottomed scope base. Use the existing holes and the rifle can easily be put back into original condition.

Why not put a scope on top? Be Well, RZ.

Yes, you can tell if your gun was a sears sold Marlin by removing the fill screws. If the threads are in the white the barrel was drilled and tapped afterwards by either Marlin or some gunsmith. If the threads are blued then it was a rifle manufactured for sears specifically. The only 39 A rifles drilled and tapped at the factory prior to being shipped where the ones made for sears.
Edit:
The years Marlin made them for sears was 54 and either 53 or 55. Can’t remember at the moment. It was only 2 years as I recall.

The two screws go into the ejector assembly which is internal to the receiver.

I believe your only option would be to drill and tap the receiver. Finding a gunsmith able and willing to do it is another thing.

When I was young and brash I probably would do it. But now I would probably would leave it be.

Michael

The holes in the barrel were for a Weaver mount that came with Sears sold guns, perhaps others, N3 for low mount, the rear sight needs to be removed, N4 for a high mount, both for 3/4 inch scopes.
The mounts can usually be found on ebay,
AFAIK no side barrel mounts are available for one inch tubes

In Feb 2018 I bought a 1954 Marlin 39a from an estate sale at a gun store that was factory drilled for Weaver side mount N2 for Weaver B4 7/8 in scope.
I did something that month to mount a 1" scope on top of the barrel.

JimHnSTL the screw s# dates 47. I found on the inter web that was the first year marlin did it. .thanks for that info

I got a 1954 Marlin 39a in 2018 at an estate sale at a LGS.
It was factory drilled for Weaver side mount N2 for Weaver B4 7/8 in scope


I figured out how to get a 1" scope mounted without any more holes.


I used a factory base and a piece of Aluminum.