Perhaps nothing brings back memories of long-ago childhood afternoons like working one of Marlin’s “trombone” action rimfire rifles. An everyman’s gun produced from 1907 to 1917, and for a short time in 1922, the Marlin was every bit the equal of the competing rifles of the era. Like all Marlins of the time, the No 20 featured the company’s patented solid top for the utmost in safety. The rifles could be ordered with a variety of special features including engraving and checkering options.
Image from RockIslandAuction.com promotional material.
The second slide action rifle in the Marlin stable, the No. 20 was the successor to the No. 18 baby featherweight. The standard model featured a half-length magazine tube that held 15 short, 12 long, or 11 long rifle cartridges; a gallery model was a popular option that featured a full-length tubular magazine that increased capacity to 25 shorts, 20 longs, or 18 long rifle cartridges. The No. 20, like it’s cousin the Model 1897, featured a taper-lock design between the two receiver halves that accounted for wear along all three axis, ensuring the vast majority of No. 20 rifles maintain a tight lockup to this day. A high quality rifle, the No 20 is a testament to a time when even entry-level options were built to stand the test of time.
The No. 20 was Marlin’s longest produced pump-action rimfire rifle, and with a few changes lived on as the No. 37 following corporate restructuring after WWI.
American Agriculturist Magazine, March 1915
Forest and Stream Magazine, December 1922
