Grandpa's 39A

Ok, so it wasn't my grandpa's because he never had anything of decent quality. But I have no doubt this belonged to someone's grandpa.
This is the first 39A I've ever owned IIRC, but I've been outshot more than a couple of times by my dad's. This has a C prefix serial number, born in 1946 if I understood correctly. The war years separate mine from my brother's B prefix 39A, which also gave him the color case hardened receiver. I am jealous of that.

His wears the exact same scope mount (and a better Weaver than the B4 mine has), which is confounding because pictures of other early models indicate the mount uses existing holes instead of being 'smithed in. Perhaps someone here can shed light? I'm under the impression new holes were added and threaded, killing collector interest. I overpaid for it...to the tune of $150-$200 in my mind, but I've wanted one for a while and they ain't getting cheaper. Besides, buying one at a gun show woulda been even worse.

Condition isn't horrible, but it needs a thorough cleaning and a few spots of surface rust need attention. It's also in need of a replacement butt plate. Wood is overall decent and bluing is mostly ok, with some parts having the brown patina that is so common. It's in fair to good shooter grade condition in my estimation.

Knowing the shop it came from, it's highly likely someone got about $200 trade in for grandpa's gun. Kinda sad, really. They were adamant the gun was ruined and told a few customers it was, which was why they were "only asking $575+tax" for it.

Mosin77 said:

I think you did great!!

Unless it really is “ruined” -what did they say was wrong with it?

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The holes in the side of the receiver for the scope mount. Extra holes always kills value, but I'm not a collector and "period correct" is fine by me. Now if someone drilled the top and put a picatinny rail and red dot on, I wouldn't have bought it on principle.

Speedo66 said:

Before you know it, you'll be a grandpa. lol

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I got a late start, so hopefully have a few years. There are some folks I graduated H.S. with that have grandkids that are only a couple years younger than my son.

.45Coltguy said:

LOL! At 71, I'm a grandpa. Been liking the .22lr shooting more recently; almost as much as .45 Colt anything!

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2 years ago I thought I had plenty of .22's but 8 of my last 10 guns have been a .22 of some variety. There's something relaxing about being able to shoot with both eyes, not one on target and one trying to spot where my brass landed.

HarryB said:

I've got a case colored 39a from 1941. Sadly I don't know the history. I have some extra holes too! But still a wonderful girl.View attachment 1093569 View attachment 1093570 View attachment 1093571

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The case hardened receiver is still beautiful. My brother has the 1941 variant, but the only extra holes are in the exact same place as mine. I took the mount on mine loose earlier today and the bluing behind isn't nearly as faded and worn as the rest of my receiver...so even though it's not original, its been there awhile.

Speedo66 said:

I don't know a lot about 39A's, I lusted after them, but they were always beyond what I could afford when I was younger.

Were they all take down models?

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I don't know much about them either, except my dad's microgroove version was always a contender in our 22 shoot-offs. I think all the early ones were take down though. Dad's mid 60's model isn't.