Stapler of the Week: 1950’s School Green and Teal Swingline Model 27

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Found at the Mesa Thrift along with an Aceliner for $1.99 each! :D

Really, one of the more attractive modern-ish Swingline designs, it was superceded in 1970 by the bread-n-butter Model 747.

Really, one of the more attractive modern-ish Swingline designs, it was superceded in 1970 by the bread-n-butter Model 747.

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opens up easily with a bottom-mounted lever for tacking.

opens up easily with a bottom-mounted lever for tacking.

Standard Swingline-style top loading. Easy to load and takes standard staples.

Standard Swingline-style top loading. Easy to load and takes standard staples.

makes both Interfold and Exterfold staples.

makes both Interfold and Exterfold staples.

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The Model 27 Swingline Stapler was introduced in 1952 and "Improved" in 1954. I recall seeing these quite often at school growing up - not as omnipresent as the crinkle-grey boxy Bostitches that permeated my childhood institutional memories, but still often enough that I remember them. The School Green and Teal color combo may have been a special run for school systems, but I can't tell for sure.

The Model 27 Swingline Stapler was introduced in 1952 and “Improved” in 1954. I recall seeing these quite often at school growing up – not as omnipresent as the crinkle-grey boxy 1940’s Bostitches that permeated my childhood institutional memories, but still often enough that I remember them. The School Green and Teal color combo may have been a special run for school systems, but I can’t tell for sure.

Updated: October 25, 2018 — 10:26 pm

22 Comments

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  1. I used to have a shiny black one like that. Nice stapler.

  2. A classic! Love the color.

  3. $1.99 are you outta your mind?

    SOLD!

    1. that seems to be a common price for all staplers in thrift stores around these parts – condition, vintage or rarity are basically irrelevant. I once paid $3 for a stapler, but most come in at between 50 cents and $2 each.

  4. I collect Swingline 27 staplers with “Property of…….” embossed on the front. Currently I have around 60 of them and am trying to complete my Big 10 University collection. If you see one, let me know!

    thanks,

    Chuck

    1. whoah, pix please! :D

      I’ll keep an eye out – they are attractive machines (:

      1. I would love to post pics…… how?

        1. start a blog, i would suppose :D

          I do run the Typewriter Database, where members can upload photos & info about their typewriter collections, but as of yet, no Stapler Database in the works. I’ve considered it, but I doubt that staplers can really be dated any more accurately than a wide decades-long swath of years, since very often a design would be produced for many, many years with no notable changes.

    2. Hi i have an old one

    3. I just found a swingline 27 “city of Philadelphia! Brown body and blue insert! Pretty cool!

    4. I have a property of Tulsa public schools one

  5. I guess I can try to figure out how to start a blog. I’m nearly 50 though. Perhaps my teenage daughters can assist.

    1. fear not, I’m nearly 50 myself (how’d that sneak up on me?)
      Recruit your daughters and let us know when you get your blog up, we need more stapler nuts in the Typosphere blogroll :D

  6. Do you know when they applied for a patent for this model? Mine says pat’s applied for

  7. I found an original and restoring it.

  8. I have a Swingline 27 Stapler (WARDS Sundry 4175 on front) which when closed, will only staple once. If I open it up to load staples in it, and simply close it, it will staple again…but only for ONE staple. If I open it up for tacking, it will staple over and over again. I have verified that the correct staples, and am leaning toward the spring needing to be replaced but am looking for a site to assist in my troubleshooting. Any suggestions?

  9. I have the same problem with mine, seems to work like an old breech loading rifle lol

  10. Got one of these passed down and STILL working! Oldest stapler in the company!

  11. What about the model 27 was “improved” in 1954, and what difference could one look for between one made before, and after 1954?

  12. Any idea where to purchase a replacement spring for this stapler?

  13. Awesome find. Your stapler was likely made between 1956 and 1968. The company changed its name from Speed Products Inc. to Swingline in 1956. See the Swingline name under the base. Those made before 1956 have the Speed Products Inc. mark. The model 27 was replaced by the model 747 in 1968. The older model 27 has a more rounded front top and grooved spine. It also doesn’t have the Swingline name or the plastic on top. Two rivet heads visible on top. One sold on Etsy recently.

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