Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2 3 4 Send TopicPrint
Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope (Read 3284 times)
bobw
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1495
Location: NW, Iowa
Joined: Mar 19th, 2013
Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Sep 15th, 2024 at 7:16pm
Print Post  
I picked this scope up for not a lot of money. It looks rough on the outside and is missing the front mount, but is really nice and clear with nice fine cross hairs.

It's a Lyman 438 Field as shown in the picture with apparently a Lyman 5A rear mount.

I would like to disassemble it and re-blue the tube and end caps.  The end caps come right off.  But, I would like some advice on getting the parts out from the inside.  I assume I need to remove the 2 screws in the center of the tube which will free up the internal parts.  Can anyone verify this?   

I really don't want to damage any of these parts so thought I better ask before doing!

I could also use some advice as to where I might find a front mount and related parts.
Thanks,
Bob

  

Robert Warren
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 16112
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #1 - Sep 15th, 2024 at 8:07pm
Print Post  
Yes Bob, the screws hold the separate lenses in place. Once they're removed they slide out for cleaning or restoration.
The mounts are getting really tough to find, and almost as much as finding a whole scope to buy. I try to buy any decent old external mounts for 3/4" tubes (front or rear) I find if they're not crazy priced.
  

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Chuckster
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2232
Location: Colorado
Joined: May 15th, 2008
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #2 - Sep 15th, 2024 at 9:36pm
Print Post  
Bob, Keep track of which lens goes where. They may or may not be the same focal length.
frnkeore on this forum is very knowledgeable on this type of scope.
Chuck
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
bobw
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1495
Location: NW, Iowa
Joined: Mar 19th, 2013
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #3 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 11:08am
Print Post  
Thank Vall and Chuck.  Maybe Frank will come along with other thoughts.   
Bob
  

Robert Warren
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
frnkeore
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 7274
Location: Central Point, OR 97502
Joined: Jun 16th, 2010
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #4 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 1:21pm
Print Post  
Yes, they are very simple scopes, made much like the Mossbergs and Wallensacks.

The front screw is the parallax adjustment and  holds a tube, that has the objective lens. the other holds the X hair cell. Be careful handling the X hair cell and don't touch the hairs unless they need cleaning and then, only with a VERY soft brush and air, no stronger than your breath.

I'm not seeing it but, there should be a "dent" in the tube, just behind the X hair screw, that holds the ocular tube in position. You'll need to make a dowel, slightly smaller than the ocular tube, with a groove to clear the dent, to push the X hair cell out.
  

ASSRA Member #696, ISSA Member #339
Back to top
YIMAIM  
IP Logged
 
bobw
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1495
Location: NW, Iowa
Joined: Mar 19th, 2013
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #5 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 1:28pm
Print Post  
Frank,
Thanks for the info.  I need to look again but I’m sure there is a dent.

Is rust blue correct for these?
Bob
  

Robert Warren
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
frnkeore
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 7274
Location: Central Point, OR 97502
Joined: Jun 16th, 2010
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #6 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 1:45pm
Print Post  
bobw wrote on Sep 16th, 2024 at 1:28pm:
Frank,
Thanks for the info.  I need to look again but I’m sure there is a dent.

Is rust blue correct for these?
Bob

Looking at mine, I'm not sure but, I think they may be hot blued.
  

ASSRA Member #696, ISSA Member #339
Back to top
YIMAIM  
IP Logged
 
bobw
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1495
Location: NW, Iowa
Joined: Mar 19th, 2013
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #7 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 5:46pm
Print Post  
Frank, might be.  I'm going to give the rust blue a go since I'm going to be doing a barrel shortly.  Worst that could happen is me having to  repolish the parts.  Thanks

Thanks to you guys, I got it apart this afternoon, actually was very easy,  and polished the tube and end caps so they are ready to go when the barrel gets blued.
Bob
  

Robert Warren
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
frnkeore
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 7274
Location: Central Point, OR 97502
Joined: Jun 16th, 2010
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #8 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 7:19pm
Print Post  
I'm still not seeing that "dent", does yours have one?

I have two and both have the dent.
  

ASSRA Member #696, ISSA Member #339
Back to top
YIMAIM  
IP Logged
 
bobw
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1495
Location: NW, Iowa
Joined: Mar 19th, 2013
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #9 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 7:27pm
Print Post  
Frank
Yes it does. Small, about 1/8 inch.

Is the 438 considered an 8 power?
Bob
  

Robert Warren
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
bpjack
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2778
Location: East Olympia, WA
Joined: May 18th, 2008
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #10 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 7:37pm
Print Post  
I think it is a 4x

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)


From the CMP website""In 1929, Lyman bought the Stevens Arms Co's. telescope business, one of the Stevens scopes became the Lyman 438. The 438 was first offered as a 3X, but in 1937 a 4X was made available. Both the 3X and the 4X featured Bausch & Lomb lenses and a 23.0 - foot field of view at 100 yards. Mounts were the same as the Lyman 5A until 1932, when a special four-point Lyman 438 mount was introduced with 1/2-minute click adjustments. Markings were in white enamel. In 1938, two new Lyman 438 mounts were introduced: a 1/4-minute, micrometer-click adjustable, three-point field mount with lockable field knobs. Reticules offered were the same as those for the Lyman 5A. The Lyman 438 series was discontinued in 1947.

I believe the 438 was designed to withstand recoils up to the recoil generated by a Model 1903 Springfield rifle. Remember, this scope was designed in 1911 by the Stevens Co. It is by no means a "modern scope" and is of interest, mostly, to collectors"
  

ASSRA # 11318
just a bit of a hoot.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
bobw
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1495
Location: NW, Iowa
Joined: Mar 19th, 2013
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #11 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 7:44pm
Print Post  
Jack, Thanks a bunch for that information!   

Looks you are correct on power but it seems to be better than that.

Going on a 22 LR……if I find a front mount!
Bob
  

Robert Warren
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
TDW
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 118
Location: Montana and Missouri
Joined: Mar 21st, 2010
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #12 - Sep 17th, 2024 at 11:27am
Print Post  
bobw 
   You might try calling Montana Vintage Arms to see about having one made from modern steel. I had JC make one up for my 438 about 15 years ago. I don’t remember the cost, however, it was less than $100. The original front ring on the 438 was made from either cast or sintered metal, and are usually found broken through at the screw mounting hole. 
Tom W
  

"The farther North you go, the more things you will run into that will eat your horse."
S.P. Garbe, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, 1980
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
bobw
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1495
Location: NW, Iowa
Joined: Mar 19th, 2013
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #13 - Sep 17th, 2024 at 1:24pm
Print Post  
TDW, you bring up a good point.  I might be able to make the front mount.   

Does anyone have some good pictures of how this mount is made, especially the ID or inside?  Since the scope has the long key, I guess there is a stop ring that sets the eye relief?  A good photo of that would also be nice.

PM me or email if it’s more convenient than posting here.
Thanks,
Bob
  

Robert Warren
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
nuclearcricket
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 747
Joined: Oct 15th, 2008
Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #14 - Sep 17th, 2024 at 2:08pm
Print Post  
since it doesn't look like it has a pope rail on it, the stop ring for a MVA Winchester scope might work just fine. 
Just a thought
Sam
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2 3 4
Send TopicPrint