I've done some searching through threads, and my serial number is not covered by multiple posts on the subject.

I have a Marlin Mod 39 with serial no. 22xx

Anyone know the year of manufacture?

OK, after some searching on the web, I found this site: http://oldguns.net

From 1922 to 1938 Marlin manufactured 40,000 to 50,000 model 39's, according to oldguns.net. In 1939, model 39A's were started and manufactured until present. So that puts mine between 1922 and 1938, and by the serial number, I would guess it is closer to 1922, and likely in 1922 or 1923.

I would still like to hear from more knowledgeable folks if they can pinpoint the year. Thanks. - GL

Well, I called Marlin today on a different subject, and went ahead and asked about this one. They say records are incomplete for this early serial number, and that it would fall somewhere between 1922 and 1926. My earlier guess-timate assumed 45,000 units / (17 years of production) = 2647, which is greater than my number of 22xx. That, of course, assumes a uniform rate of production, which is all I can do. Well, at any rate, it is definitely from the earliest production of Model 39 and now I know. According to Marlin's website (http://www.marlinfirearms.com/history/index.php) the Model 39 is the descendant of the Model 1897, followed by the Model 39A.

I brought this rifle back from East Texas while visiting my mother and pulled it out to clean and oil it. That's when the curiosity bug hit me and I posted this thread. It's the first firearm I fired and belonged to my father before me. I'm going to continue enjoy shooting it.

- GL

Nice find gringo. You may already know, but only shoot standard velocity ammo through this fine old rifle. I've heard the high velocity can cause bolt fractures. Too nice of an heirloom rifle to risk any damage.

Thanks Fullchoke. I was beginning to feel like I was having a coversation with myself :o, and living up to the "loco" part of my handle :p. I only recently learned through reading on this rifle that HV rounds may prove unsound in it. Honestly, I have never discriminated what type of .22 rounds (except WMR) I put through it in the past. It has seen many an HV .22LR go through it without problem. Still, discretion is the better part of valor, and I will put plain jane rounds through in the future, although I suspect it would have already cracked if it were going to. Mine was probably on the "positive side" of process variation in production.

Have one of the old Mod 39's that has a ser # in the low 4,000 range. Back when the Marlin board was up and running, found out it was made in 1937 - same as my birth year. This is the first firearm I personally ever bought (used, in a hock shop in Manitou Springs, Colo in 1957), so value it dearly.

Have one of the old Mod 39's that has a ser # in the low 4,000 range. Back when the Marlin board was up and running, found out it was made in 1937 - same as my birth year. This is the first firearm I personally ever bought (used, in a hock shop in Manitou Springs, Colo in 1957), so value it dearly.
kdub,

If the information I found on http://oldguns.net (http://oldguns.net/) is true, then it seems unlikely your 39 was made in 1937. Their info states that 40,000 to 50,000 39's were made between 1922 and 1938. Maybe that info is wrong ... I don't pretend to know, but if it is true, then Marlin would have really had to kick up production in 1938 if yours was made in 1937.

Here is a copy and paste of a Q/A from another guy about his 39A from oldguns.net.
__________________________________________________ ___________________
# 10179 - 39A Manufacture Date
1/1/2005
Heath, Candain, TX, USA

Marlin - 39 - 22 S, L, & LR - 23 & 3/8 inches - Don't Know - S7965 - On top Of Barrel - The Marlin Firearms Corporation New Haven, CCNN. U.S.A. - Patented On Barrel close to action - 22 S,L, & LR Behind Hammer - Marlin MOD. 39 The Serial # is S7965. Does the S denote that the following numbers are the serial #, or is it part of the serial #? I was wondering so I could age this rifle. If the S is not part of the #, I believe it would be a 1884 production. Thanks for any info.

Answer:
Heath, references indicate that Marlin first introduced the Model 39 in 1922 so your estimated manufacture date is a little early. The 39 was a Lever Action - .22 rifle that could chamber .22 Short, Long, or Long Rifle cartridges. Model 39 rifles had 24-inch octagon barrels, case hardened receivers, and lever, S-shaped pistol grip stocks with hard rubber buttplates. Marlin manufactured 40,000 to 50,000 Model 39 rifles from 1922 to 1938.

The Model 39A rifle, was manufactured from 1939 to the present, it was similar to the Model 39, but had a round barrel, and a heavier beavertail-type forend. Early 39A rifles (manufactured before 1945) had a case hardened receiver, rifles manufactured after 1945 had a blue receiver. Butstocks with flutes and a comb were introduced in 1951, and Micro-Groove rifling was introduced in 1954.

Marlin 39A rifles manufactured from 1948 to 1968 have a one or two letter code that was used to designate the year of manufacture. The year of manufacture for S code serial numbers is 1958 to 1959. Marc