I have a Marlin I got from my grandfather (used) in 1974. It says "Marlin Golden 39a mountie" on the barrel and serial# R14362 under the lever, but the trigger is blue not gold. I know my dad had the gun reblued, was the trigger gold before? Any idea what the year of manufacture is?
Thanks.

Welcome to Shooter's Forum, Robert.

A quick check would indicate your rifle was made in either late 1957 or early 1958. The letter "R"was used during this time period. As for the gold trigger, I'm going to have to do some more research. The gold trigger was introduced in 1957, so this confuses the issue somewhat.

I'll post back when I can find something more definative.

Okay, I just checked with a Marlin collector from the northwest US. I can't quote him verbatim, but basically your rifle could have had a blue or gold trigger. As he pointed out,"nothing is cast in stone". Also, because the rifle has been re-blued it's no longer "original"; so trigger color is a moot point from a collectors vantage point.

Shoot it and enjoy it. You can pass it along to the next generation as it was passed to you. These are fine rifles.

Thanks for the info. I definitely have not plans to sell the gun, I just always wondered about the trigger and it's age. It is a good shooting gun.

Robert;

I just got a little more info you may find interesting. Another avid Marlin collector reports that with the Golden 39A being introduced in 1957, your rifle could be a "transition" gun, (made from leftover parts during the transition to a new model).

In 1957, there were 16,267 39A's made with the gold trigger.
There were 53 made with a blue trigger that same year.

So your rifle could have an original blue trigger.

Dave

I recently purchased a "Golden 39A" as it states on the barrel (in Gold lettering), but the trigger is blued. Serial no. is from 1981. Any thoughts?

I recently purchased a "Golden 39A" as it states on the barrel (in Gold lettering), but the trigger is blued. Serial no. is from 1981. Any thoughts?

I bought one earlier this year from 1984 with a blue trigger. I contacted Marlin to find out if the trigger had been replaced and they told me they were made without the gold trigger in the early 80's. It is possible that they have dropped the gold trigger on the Goldens at other periods.