Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin Talk Early Star stamped 22 pumps

I posted this on another forum and did not get a lot of information that seemed credible. This was in responce to another post there that said the star stamp "did not start until 1926". One answer was that the model 37's were not really serial numbered and any number could be from any year. The 20-A has a very odd serial number and both guns are stamped Marlin Firearms Corporation which I believe was formed in 1922. Hopefully somone can shed some light these two for me. This is copied exactly as I posted there;

In another post it was stated that the star stamps did not start until 1926 but here are two guns from 1922 to 1923 that look correct. The top one in all pictures is a Model 37 with a serial number under 4000 and the lower is a very late Model 20-A. The 20-A has a tapered barrel, earlier 20-A's I have seen have staight barrels. It also has the bullseye in the stock.

I would date the 20-A to 1922, the last year for them and the 37 to 1st or 2nd year of production for them, so 1922 to 1923.

Where did the 1926 date come from?

Gene, There must be a lot of confusion concerning these rifles. So let me add to it. The minimal reference I have indicates the following.
Model 20A made from 1907-1922 after 1922 was designated model 20S. Also indicates 24 inch octagonal barrel and your's is obviously round.
Model 37 made from 1913-1916 similar to the model 29 which was made the same years. The model 29 was similar to the model 20 except a round barrel is indicated. No indication of barrel style on the Model 37 and no mention of a star stamp. Looks like one of those times that trying to run down accurate information on older firearms may cause more confusion than answers.

Yes, you did add to the confusion!! I think you got some of this info from either the 'Blue Book' or the 'Standard Guide to FireArms Values' both of which have exactly the same dates of manufacture for the model 37 - which is wrong. The model 37 was made from 1922 to 1930, they both say it replaced the model 29 and it did come after it, in fact after WWI. Also the Model 20 was made from 1913 to 1917 and some more again about 1922~1923 - this may have been to use up exsisting narrow recievers, you will notice in the top view pictue the 37 reciever is wider - also notice neither is drill & tapped for the Hepburn sight. The production dates were for all versions, 20 first, 20-S second and the 20-A last. The 20-S is the rarest and the 20-A the most common.

In all the pictures the model 37 is on top and it is the one with the round barrel, the 20-A is octagon. The barrel stamps are shown because they both say "Marlin Firearms Coporation" which dates them to 1922 or later, both also have the bullseye in the stock which also dates the same.

This 20-A is the only one I have ever heard of with a star stamp - but you do have to pull the stock to see so it would not be easily found. I was hoping to find others out there that were similar, with what looks like a early 37 and a late 20-A both with star stamps I was hoping to come up with at least a probable start date for its use but need some more examples.

The info I have came from a Book titled collectors guide that I aquired many years ago never investigated it's accuracy. Seemed to be accurate on firearms made since 1940 or so which at the time was where my interest was.

Use of the bullseye, the company's new trademark, began in 1922 with the beginning of the Marlin Firearms Corporation. I believe the inspectors mark star also found its beginning in 1922. Dates for those models--20A/20AS 1911-1922, 37 1923-1931

I encourage anyone interested in Marlin Firearms history to invest in William Brophy's book "Marlin Firearms - A History of the Guns and the Company that Made Them" and become a member of the Marlin Firearms Collectors Association.

Backtobethal; Your dates fit these two guns, a very late 20-A would be right at the start of the usage of the bullseye and star. I have Brophy's book but it still did not seem to put an absolute date on the start of the usage. The model 20 was changed to use a shorter locking lug and became the 20-S, the firing pin design was changed to use a spring pluger in the back of the bolt and this became the 20-A. The highest serial number for a 20 I have is about 4960 and the lowest for a 20-A about 6450, I believe all 20-S's would have to fall between these numbers making for a total under 1500. That also means the combined total for 20's and 20-S's would be under 6450 which would explain why they are so seldom seen. I just recently aquired a model 20 and in all the years looking I have probably seen fewer than 6.

My Model 20A is serial numbered at 889 and has the star stamped on the lower tang the serial number on the upper and has the bullseye in the stock.
Octagon 24" barrel and full magazine .
Old type extractor with screw.
I am in the process of restoring it.
Ron