ANOTHER POSTING ABOUT AN OLD MARLIN 39-A

When my elderly Cousin died, he left me some old guns that he had disassembled, but never put back together. Most of them are junk, except for a Marlin 39-A, which has a 3-digit serial number (7xx, no letter prefix) and a case-hardened receiver.

Schwing's Standard Catalog of Firearms shows this configuration means a manufacturing date of 1939.

I'd love to keep it and use it, but unfortunately vision problems prevent me from firing a rifle ... so I want to sell it so someone who will be able to enjoy it.

Here are my questions:
1) Is it worth anything to someone in its present condition (completely disassembled, some barrel rust, buttstock finish removed)?
2) Should I reassemble it and then try to sell it?
3) Should I send it back to Marlin to have it refinished and reassembled, and then try to sell it?

According to the Marlin website, the estimated cost for that work would be at least $235.

Marlin Minimum Service Charges,
Lever Action Rifles and Autoloading Centerfire Rifles
=====================================
Labor-Repair (parts extra) - $45.00 and up
Bluing - $125.00 and up
Wood Refinishing - $65.00 and up

Any suggestions about what I should do with this fine old rifle?

Thanks!!![COLOR=sienna][FONT=lucida console][SIZE=2][B]

I'd suggest taking it to a local gunsmith to see if it can be put back together with all of the parts you have. A working rifle, ugly or not, is going to bring more money than a pile of parts.

If it doesn't have all the parts, that's a problem that needs be solved next.

I sincerely doubt if you'll get your money out of a refinishing / restoration job. Collectors want original condition guns, and shooters can get cheaper ones new.