I have a 1882 Maynard in 25-20 ss. It has excessive headspace.(ie. the distance between the end of the barrel and the front of the receiver appears to be maybe twice the distance of the width of the rim of the cartridge.). What can be done for this?
  The lockup of the barrel is normal, that is, the lever begins to exhibit tension about 1/2 way towards being closed. The barrel is tight at full battery. The only problem is the distance between the end of the barrel and the front of the receiver. 
  I've heard of pinching the toggol ends closer together to tighten lockup of the barrel would this help?

I have a 25-20ss barrel that I recently had on Froggies 1873 frame. It indeed had a gap very similar to what you are describing. As far as I can gather from what I have read the 25-20ss was only ever put on the 1882 from the factory. Of course with special order, who knows. It might be possible to have someone like Dave Casey at Rocky Mt Cartridge make custom cases for your configuration. If I had an 1873 frame, that is probably what I would do. I have an opposite problem. I have a second model frame gunsmith converted to center fire. WHen my 1882 barrel locks up, it is too little space between the barrel and breech piece. I am going to try to thin the rim of one of my cases on a lathe and hope it will work, I may be calling Dave myself to see if he can help out here if my thinning doesn't work. I see primer problems in my future!
I hope you get it into action, gotta love a Maynard
MerwinBray

Dave Casey can make up a set of cases with thicker rims. All he needs is a measurement for the rims

40 Rod

  It is a 82 model the  73 model gap is much greater and the 25-20ss was first introduced in 1882 the barrel # matches the frame and the receiver is marked 1882.
  On the percussion model 50 cal carbine you can close the gap between the barrel and receiver by pinching the link together some. 

Jon, take your question to John Bly this weekend @ Ft Shenandoah.  I'd bet my last bippy he can answer it immediately and definitively.  I think you said you know him already, but if not, I would be pleased to intoduce you guys.  See ya Sat AM! 

Froggie

PS I've gotta bring my short barrel with the ruined chamber along to leave with Bobby Hoyt for a rebore.  I've decided that's the only way to go. 

   Merwin Bray   I got to meet Green Frog at Fort Shanandoah Saturday but couldn't find you or John Bly. As a partial answer to your question from above, I talked to Larry Romano and he said he could fix my excessive headspace problem by welding some stock onto the back of the large "L" shaped under lug of the barrel. 
   Now, it seems if you were to reverse this process by taking a little metal off the back of this ,I'm going to call it the under barrel lug, and/or  open the lever link it makes sence that it would increase the headspace of your rifle. Many of the percussion Maynards have loose barrels and consequently excessive headspace. Some of this is caused by wear on this under barrel lug and stretching or wear of the lever link. It would seem you need what many of the old percussions have. Hope this helps you Don Ostrander NC 66th Co. A 

Hi Hen-P-Much;

Do you still have the Maynard rifle with the head space problem?

Since you brought the problem to our attention many years past, the ASSRA forum has gained the participation of a highly qualified and conversant Maynard aficionado by the name of "Deadeye Bly".

I will mention your post to John and if you are still around I am certain he would be happy to share his Maynard knowledge with you.

Dr.Maynard