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First post here. I acquired a old 1886 octagon barreled rifle chambered in 40-70. The rifle had been dropped and the forend broken and the mag tube evidently damaged. The mag tube had been cut off just long enough to protrude past the forend, which was a whittled piece of pine, I think. The spring had been twisted so it would stay in the tube (no cap on the tube). But it worked.
I didn’t notice originally with the shortened tube, but when the rifle was disassembled, we realized that it’s a takedown. I’d like to keep it as original as possible, but original tubes and caps don’t seem to exist. It’s a crazy, fun project on a somewhat rare, I believe, caliber and configuration.
Any ideas as to original parts, I’d appreciate. Thanks and looking forward to the forum.
Jim, post some pictures along with serial number and I’m sure someone can help. The forearm wood is easy, a forearm cap oct takedown and a magazine tube with the lever on top is hard. You may have to buy the front half of a takedown to get them. Not cheap. T/R
TR said
Jim, post some pictures along with serial number and I’m sure someone can help. The forearm wood is easy, a forearm cap oct takedown and a magazine tube with the lever on top is hard. You may have to buy the front half of a takedown to get them. Not cheap. T/R
Thanks. Probably get some up tomorrow. My fear is nothing original will pop up. I do still have the cap, it’s tube and top. I can find wood.
As an aside, the replacement forend was whittled from the branch of a tree.
November 7, 2015
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Welcome, Jim! Looking forward to hearing more about your project. Homestead is my go-to parts source but the takedown magazine parts may be quite an adventure. It may be easier to find a parts gun with the parts you need. Happy hunting!
Here are the photos. The rifle functions fine. It was in one family since made until it came into my hands. The Grandfather had dropped and broke the forearm and damaged the mag tube. Still a fun project. My main goal is to return it to as close to original as I can, but I may need a replacement tube and mag cap.
A couple more including the whittled forend and tube. The funny thing is it worked still.
Jim, From the pictures it looks like you need forearm wood, forearm end cap, magazine band undrilled, and a complete takedown magazine tube assembly including spring, plug, and locking lever on the end of the tube. The forearm wood and end cap has to be the same width and taper as the barrel. Winchester used different widths and tapers during that time period. Please post the width of the barrel flats at the breech end of the forearm and also at the tenon end of the forearm using a dial caliper. Having these two parts original and matching in condition would help keeping the original look of your gun. T/R
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