Lyman .45 Cal Plains Rifle

[tradewind]

My son just purchased a Lyman .45 cal Plains Rifle in great condition from a gun show. Subsequently, we learned that the .45 cal rifle is no longer sold and was last produced in the 1970s. Concerned about spare parts, we inquired with Lyman Products and asked if parts (except for the barrel) from the presently made .50 cal Great Plains Rifle could be used for the .45 cal Plains Rifle. The answer we got back from Lyman was, "Don't know." Having said that, would anyone know if the parts between the .45 cal and .50 cal. are interchangeable and if not, who would be a source for parts on the .45 cal Lyman Plains Rifle? Thank you.

 

[Dave K]

I don't have an answer about the spare parts, but I certainly wouldn't worry about it. I have shot guns that are over 200yrs. old and if they need a part, the part will need to be made. The big question is, when will you need these spare parts? It may very well be never. They do still sell the 45cal. in Europe. If I were a betting man, I would bet the parts are the same as the 50 and 54's.

 

[RedFeather]

Does it have the two wedge pins? If so, maybe you could measure the spacing and ask if Lyman (hopefully) knows the dimensions on the current gun. Better yet, Track Of The Wolf sells them and would be more hands-on. The current Lyman staff are kind of office workers, in my experience. I once asked them about an old Lyman sight and they had to find a copy of their centennial booklet to find it.

If your gun has one wedge pin, it's likely the Trade Rifle which I think was made by Investarms. They still make the same, basic gun, but you will have to do as above to see if things have changed.

Good luck. I would love to have a GPR in .45.

 

[PreglerD]

Hello from GERMANY. If it is really a .45 GPR, it is in GE very common. More than the .50 or .54. I have one in .45. But I thougt about a change barrel in .54. I have asked the german traders and they told me that all GPR the same except the barrels and their cals. So I think all parts will fit. If you want aspecial part, send me a PT and I will try to get in Germany.

Greetings from GE.

 

[cowpoke1955]

I agree with Kerrmeister. I know that the .50 and .54 are identical, except for the barrel. If your's is a GPR, the lock and stock should be the same.

 

[tradewind]

The rifle has only one wedge pin. On the barrel it's inscribed "Plains Rifle." The barrel is 28" in length and Lyman says it has a 1/48" twist.

 

[PreglerD]

So you have a Trade rifle or normal Lyman/Investarm Hawken. But that doesn't matter parts are also ínterchangeable from a .45 cal to bigger cals. If it is possible to post a pic it would be great. But the rifle is in GE also very common. Have one in .45 with a .54 change barrel.

 

[tradewind]

After reviewing pictures on the web, I believe the "Plains Rifle" most closely resembles the Investarms Hawkins. Can someone tell me how to get in touch with Investarms. Thank you.

 

[Robert58]

Does this rifle look like yours?

[url] http://www.muzzleloadingforum....php?tid/202277/post/362035/hl/ransom/#362035[/url]

I saw a rifle in a Pawn Shop about four years ago that looked just like the Ranson Rifle, but it had Lyman Plains Rifle stamped on the barrel. In one of the threads I believe that someone said that The Ranson Rifle conpany was bought out by Investarms. I think that the Ranson rifle was the first muzzleloading rifle that Lyman marketed.

Robert

 

[almrl]

Lyman Muzzleloader Handbook, First Edition , 1976

Apparently the "Plains Rifle" was a predecesor to the "Great Plains Rifle."

Old Coot

P.S. Just noticed the text under the picture says, "1:24 twist." My old 2nd ed. Black Powder Gun Digest and my Lyman Black Powder Handbook, both say 1:48.

 

[tradewind]

The Ranson Rifle looks similar to the Plains Rifle but has a more fancy lock plate. The Plains Rifle also has the name Lyman Stamped on the barrel. Does anyone know how to connect up directly with Investarm?

 

[tradewind]

That's the Plains Rifle! Good job, Old Coot!!! I'm impressed!!! Now, does anyone know where parts can be obtained for the Plains Rifle?

 

[cowpoke1955]

Looks just like the Cabela's and Dixie Hawken, except for the patch box, which are also made by Investarms. I would check with Dixie.

 

[windwalker_au]

tradewind i have a ransum plains rifle.ransum where taken over by investarms,my dubble set triggers wore out and the lyman great plains rifle trigger fitted rite in i have since found that all the lock parts and the lock itself,will fit does your gun look like mine. i have replaced the trigger gurd and sights.
bernie :grin:

 

[windwalker_au]

Old Coot this page is from the sam fadala's black powder loading manual first edition .as you can see it says 32inch barrel and 1in66 twist mine is a .50 cal 28 inch barrel and 1in48twist seems they did a few variations.lol
bernie :thumbsup:

 

[tradewind]

Windwalker's rifle looks similar but the Ransum is much nicer than my son's rifle. The Ransum's stock is a darker wood and the trigger guard and lock plate are of higher grade.

 

[windwalker_au]

i have seen ransons that had very plain locks and very light wood,and some with a patch box like a tc hawkin,they built a lot of diferen vareations in the one gun.have you had the barrel out of the stock if not take it out and look behind the wedge pin lug and rub sum white chalk and see if it cums up like mine. see the pic.
bernie :thumbsup:

 

[PreglerD]

Hi tradewind,

you can google Investarm, note the spelling without s a the end. They are in nothern Italy. Again if you need parts I will ask for you because this rifle in .45 is very common in GE. I think it will be no problem if the parts available and you want them that I shipp them to the US.

Gretings from GE.

 

[tradewind]

Sorry, Windwalker. My son's rifle is clearly stamped on the barrel - Lyman Plains Rifle. Exactly as discovered by Old Coot. Thanks for your help.

 

[RedFeather]

Well, you could try Ebay. They always seem to have barrels for sale.