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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope (Read 1608 times)
bobw
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Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Sep 15th, 2024 at 7:16pm
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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
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marlinguy
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #1 - Sep 15th, 2024 at 8:07pm
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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.
  

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Chuckster
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #2 - Sep 15th, 2024 at 9:36pm
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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
  
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bobw
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #3 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 11:08am
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Thank Vall and Chuck.  Maybe Frank will come along with other thoughts.   
Bob
  

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frnkeore
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #4 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 1:21pm
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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.
  

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bobw
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #5 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 1:28pm
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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
  

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frnkeore
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #6 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 1:45pm
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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.
  

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bobw
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #7 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 5:46pm
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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
  

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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #8 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 7:19pm
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I'm still not seeing that "dent", does yours have one?

I have two and both have the dent.
  

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bobw
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #9 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 7:27pm
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Frank
Yes it does. Small, about 1/8 inch.

Is the 438 considered an 8 power?
Bob
  

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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #10 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 7:37pm
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I think it is a 4x

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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"
  

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bobw
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #11 - Sep 16th, 2024 at 7:44pm
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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
  

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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #12 - Sep 17th, 2024 at 11:27am
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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
  

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bobw
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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #13 - Sep 17th, 2024 at 1:24pm
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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
  

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Re: Wanting to Restore a Lyman Scope
Reply #14 - Sep 17th, 2024 at 2:08pm
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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
  
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