Longest-produced long arm being discontinued?

[Johnny_L.A]

The Marlin Model 39 (originally, Model 1891) has been in continuous production since 1891, making it the longest continually-produced long arm in the world. Remington bought Marlin at the end of 2007. In 2008 they closed the Gardner, MA factory. Last month the New Haven, CT plant closed (full text of announcement):

**Madison, NC –**The Freedom Group, Inc., announced the closure of its Marlin manufacturing facility, located in North Haven, Connecticut. The transition of Marlin firearms production in North Haven to a future site will not affect customers’ shipments or the range of Marlin product offerings. At the time of last Thursday’s announcement, the Freedom Group was still evaluating several relocation options and will announce the future production site of Marlin firearms when the final decision is made.

“As competition in today’s global marketplace remains intense, consolidation of our manufacturing processes and operating systems allow us to provide Marlin customers with the highest quality products at competitive prices,” said Ted Torbeck, Freedom Group’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to the Marlin brand, its core product offerings and bringing innovative new Marlin firearms to our customers.”

Is this the end of Marlin? Is it the end of the Model 39? If this is not the end of either, and production will restart after Remington decides on a new site, can the Model 39 legitimately be said to have been in ‘continuous production’?