Marlin No. 27 s

offshore44 · February 4, 2008, 10:39 PM

I'm looking into Grandpa's rifle. It has been in the family a long time. This is what I know about it from the stamping is:

Can anyone tell me anything about the cartridge, or the rifle?

Marlin No 27 S on upper tang
25-20 M on top of barrel just in front of receiver
Special Smokeless Steel on the off side of the barrel in front of receiver
Marlin Firearms Co New-Haven CT. USA
Four patent dates from Aug. 1890 to Nov 1904

It's a really nice little pump action with a receiver that resembles a lever action, a nice octagon barrel, exposed hammer.

The rifle comes apart with a lever / screw on one side and a thumb nut on the other.

I used to have a half-box of 25-20 around here someplace that is green and tan.

Grandpa used it for varmints and the occasional deer.

It's in pretty good shape for a working rifle.

Thanks a bunch in advance...

Jim Watson · February 5, 2008, 09:34 AM

I don't know anything beyond the bare facts of its existence to tell you.
The Marlin 27S was made from 1910 til 1932 in calibers .25 rimfire, .25-20, and .32-20. The only one I ever saw being shot was used in Cowboy Action Shooting until the stages got longer than the 7 rounds its short magazine would hold.

There was a brisk debate on another board with people saying that .25-20 Marlin was different from .25-20 Winchester but I much doubt that. A green and tan ammo box is probably Remington brand.

There is a Marlin Collectors board and the longest thread on the 27S is at
http://www.marlin-collectors.com/for...&highlight=27s

offshore44 · February 10, 2008, 05:23 AM

Thanks Jim,
That's about what I know as well. I'll mosey on over and see what the other discussion has to offer...

bigbird34 · February 10, 2008, 11:12 AM

Thay are one in the same,just different headstamps....there was "Single shot" 25-20,B.P. round,that became obsolete because of the 25-20 Marlin/win....there was a 25-35 win,and a 25-36 Marlin(different cartridges),and a 25-25 stevens long straight cart,that was replaced by the (25-21 Stevens) ....25 Cal was pretty popular at the turn of the century.BB 34 ...

BTW I have some 25-20 posted on Auctionarms.com

Scorch · February 10, 2008, 06:52 PM

The only difference between the 25-20 Winchester and 25-20 Marlin was bullet weight (86 gr vs 87 gr) and bullet design (SJFP vs SJRN). Case dimensions are identical, and Winchester loaded the ammo for Marlin.

February 4, 2008, 10:39 PM	#1
offshore44 Junior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: West Linn, OR Posts: 2	Marlin No. 27 s I'm looking into Grandpa's rifle. It has been in the family a long time. This is what I know about it from the stamping is: Can anyone tell me anything about the cartridge, or the rifle? Marlin No 27 S on upper tang 25-20 M on top of barrel just in front of receiver Special Smokeless Steel on the off side of the barrel in front of receiver Marlin Firearms Co New-Haven CT. USA Four patent dates from Aug. 1890 to Nov 1904 It's a really nice little pump action with a receiver that resembles a lever action, a nice octagon barrel, exposed hammer. The rifle comes apart with a lever / screw on one side and a thumb nut on the other. I used to have a half-box of 25-20 around here someplace that is green and tan. Grandpa used it for varmints and the occasional deer. It's in pretty good shape for a working rifle. Thanks a bunch in advance...

February 10, 2008, 05:23 AM	#3
offshore44 Junior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: West Linn, OR Posts: 2	Thanks Jim Thanks Jim, That's about what I know as well. I'll mosey on over and see what the other discussion has to offer...

February 10, 2008, 11:12 AM	#4
bigbird34 Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2007 Location: N.W.Vermont Posts: 291	25-20 marlin vs 25-20 win Thay are one in the same,just different headstamps....there was "Single shot" 25-20,B.P. round,that became obsolete because of the 25-20 Marlin/win....there was a 25-35 win,and a 25-36 Marlin(different cartridges),and a 25-25 stevens long straight cart,that was replaced by the (25-21 Stevens) ....25 Cal was pretty popular at the turn of the century.BB 34 ... BTW I have some 25-20 posted on Auctionarms.com

February 10, 2008, 06:52 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	The only difference between the 25-20 Winchester and 25-20 Marlin was bullet weight (86 gr vs 87 gr) and bullet design (SJFP vs SJRN). Case dimensions are identical, and Winchester loaded the ammo for Marlin. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 5, 2008, 09:34 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I don't know anything beyond the bare facts of its existence to tell you. The Marlin 27S was made from 1910 til 1932 in calibers .25 rimfire, .25-20, and .32-20. The only one I ever saw being shot was used in Cowboy Action Shooting until the stages got longer than the 7 rounds its short magazine would hold. There was a brisk debate on another board with people saying that .25-20 Marlin was different from .25-20 Winchester but I much doubt that. A green and tan ammo box is probably Remington brand. There is a Marlin Collectors board and the longest thread on the 27S is at http://www.marlin-collectors.com/for...&highlight=27s