Marlin Firearms Collectors Association

Hi all. I just purchased a little Model 27s in .25-20. It's nothing special. I just thought it would make a cool little shooter and give me a new cartridge to tinker with at the loading bench.

That being said, the stock and forearm have been refinished and are very glossy. Just doesn't look right. Can anyone tell me how Marlin finished the wood on these, or how I can go about making it look a bit more original?

I'll attach a few pics, so you can see what I'm dealing with.

Thanks folks.

If you go to page 662 and 663 in Brophy's book it will explain how Marlin finished their early stocks on all guns.

Already answered question on another forum. Guess my answer wasn't correct?

marlinman93 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 30, 2018 11:29 am Already answered question on another forum. Guess my answer wasn't correct?

Marlinman93....is this the thread you were talking about? Sounds about right.

Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:09 pm

Original finish was actually varnish, which was dipped, and then hand rubbed after drying, with water soaked pumice. Linseed oil was rubbed into the varnish dipped stocks after the original dip and drying was complete. The varnish speeded up the process, rather than doing the whole process with hand rubbed oil. Marlin did use tinted varnish, to get the slightly reddish hues to early stocks, but later stocks after WWI don't seem to have this reddish color.
A very nice similar effect can be achieved using Permalyn Sealer, which Brownells carries. It is extremely thin, so it takes many coats to build up to the original type finish, but the nice part is it wont go too shiny, and then need to be scuffed off later. It usually takes about 12-16 coats wet sanded into a raw stock. The last couple coats can be pumice rubbed, just like the originals were, if you want a higher gloss. You can also wax and buff it once it's set, if you want to bring the shine up a bit more.
Hope this helps.

No, it was just a day or so ago on another forum.