REVIEWS
The Marlin M39
This lever-action rimfire easily makes the short list of "greatest .22s ever."
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Whenever someone mentions a .22 rimfire rifle, we often think of the inexpensive bolt actions or single-shots most kids get as a first gun. But this was never the case with the Marlin Model 39. Even in its earliest days, it was--comparatively speaking--never inexpensive. And rather than being eventually relegated to a darkened corner or closet, it was always a rifle for those who took their plinking and small-game hunting seriously.
The Model 39 started out in life 116 years ago as the Marlin Safety Repeating Rifle, Model 1891. It was a natural progression from Marlin's already-successful line of bigbore lever actions: models 1881, 1888 and the first of the solid-top side ejectors, the Model 1889. But the growing popularity of the inexpensive .22 rimfire cartridge seemed a natural for Marlin's lever-action system, which had been perfected by Louis Lobdell Hepburn, a celebrated marksman and brilliant firearms designer.
The first Model 1891 rifles loaded from a side port in the receiver, much like its bigbore brethren--a somewhat awkward feat with the tiny rounds, which necessitated the invention of a ".22 Caliber Loading Tube." For obvious reasons, the side-loading system was soon changed to the now-familiar tubular magazine that is withdrawn from under the barrel for loading via a cutout in the magazine tube.
Interestingly, the Model 1891 could handle .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle cartridges interchangeably, a feat not possible with other .22 repeaters such as Winchester's Model 90.
The success of the Marlin 1891 led to the Model 1892, which was not actually introduced until 1895. In addition to .22 caliber, the Model 1892 was produced in .32 Short and .32 Long and was capable of firing both rimfire and centerfire ammunition by changing the firing pin.
Although the Model 1892 stayed in the line until 1915 (no doubt due to its .32-caliber offering, which Marlin touted as safer and more economical than the .32-20), its sales were soon overtaken by the appearance of the Model 1897, which not only inherited the Model 1892's ability to digest .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle cartridges interchangeably but was enhanced by the addition of Hepburn's convenient takedown feature.
Shooters simply brought the hammer to full cock, unscrewed the retaining screw on the right side of the receiver, gave the receiver a slap to free up the two sides and lifted the buttstock portion away from the frame. The breech bolt was then manually slid back and out as a separate piece within the action. Not only did this make the svelte .22 more convenient for transporting, it permitted cleaning from the breech end. (This simple but efficient system is still in use on the Marlin 39 today.)
To quote from Marlin's 1897 catalog: "This is just the gun to take on a summer vacation, or to the woods; it will come in handy for birds, snap-shooting, killing time on rainy days, etc.; it takes no room, it weighs next to nothing and can be put together and taken apart in less time than it takes to describe it. Just the thing to take on a bicycle trip through the woods and country."
And, in fact, a shortened, 16-inch-barreled Bicycle Rifle (compared to the standard 24-inch-barreled rifle) was offered, inasmuch as bicycling was extremely popular in the late 1890s. With its case-hardened receiver, hammer and lever and blued octagon or round barrel, the Model 97 was handsome as well as accurate. Here at last was the perfect .22 for those who loved lever actions--and in the late 19th century, that meant just about everyone.
Among the Model 1897's numerous admirers was famous trick shooter Annie Oakley, who Chief Sitting Bull christened "Little Sure Shot" when they were performing in William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody's Wild West Show. The diminutive Oakley, who was only five feet tall, would consistently break feather-filled glass balls tossed in the air as she rapidly worked the lever of her Marlin 1897.
