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- Dec 21, 2020
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I recently found the interesting and informative article in this Forum, which discusses the Stevens Visible Loader Rifle. I would like to add to the public discourse about this mechanical wonder.
For the last three years, I have assembled over 50 of these little darlings from the frame up. Doe-eyed pleas from my children, grand-children, and close relatives take their toll on my collection, but I try to keep up.
I make no claim to be expert on all things Stevens Visible Loader. An experienced amateur at best, I am just another Visible Loader enthusiast who embarked on a journey to restore one of these Stevens relics to safe, working condition. Along the way, I discovered many of the Visible Loader’s "Secrets".
I was surprised to discover that no true, complete manual has ever been published on the subject of these slide action rifles, other than an oft-referenced article from The American Rifleman magazine and quotations from the original patent request.
I have accordingly just copyrighted a work entitled, "Secrets of the Visible Loader", a full-color, 56-page "Illustrated Guide". The purpose of the Guide is to share discoveries with members of the Visible Loader community concerning “What Works, What Doesn’t Work, and What doesn’t Matter”. It is an aid for those who undertake the repair or restoration of one of these unique turn-of-the-century rifles. And yes, Disassembly and Assembly are covered with step-by-step photos and explanations.
Helpful information can be gleaned from the internet; however much is restated from other postings or is based on limited information. Period Stevens catalogs and parts lists offer tantalizing insights, but leave many gaps, especially when models and components of Visible Loader rifles were changed, improved, or discontinued, sadly not always in coordination with printed material.
Subtle differences in dimensions can result in the purchase of incompatible parts, which is both frustrating and wasteful. If the Guide is in any way useful in helping to locate correct parts on the first try and to understand how those parts work together with the whole of other parts groups, then it may be content for a season.
I do not part-out rifles, leaving that practice to others who cater to today’s demand for original parts—but often at tomorrow’s prices.
The alternative to original parts is to produce new replacement parts. That is the path I chose to follow and offer new replacement parts, including all screws and a number of more complex and scarce items including lifters, locking cams, mainspring plunger wires, firing pins, extractor screws, etc. The few parts that I do not make in my small machine shop I also have on hand and offer them as original, used.
I look forward to discussions on issues concerning the Visible Loader.
For the last three years, I have assembled over 50 of these little darlings from the frame up. Doe-eyed pleas from my children, grand-children, and close relatives take their toll on my collection, but I try to keep up.
I make no claim to be expert on all things Stevens Visible Loader. An experienced amateur at best, I am just another Visible Loader enthusiast who embarked on a journey to restore one of these Stevens relics to safe, working condition. Along the way, I discovered many of the Visible Loader’s "Secrets".
I was surprised to discover that no true, complete manual has ever been published on the subject of these slide action rifles, other than an oft-referenced article from The American Rifleman magazine and quotations from the original patent request.
I have accordingly just copyrighted a work entitled, "Secrets of the Visible Loader", a full-color, 56-page "Illustrated Guide". The purpose of the Guide is to share discoveries with members of the Visible Loader community concerning “What Works, What Doesn’t Work, and What doesn’t Matter”. It is an aid for those who undertake the repair or restoration of one of these unique turn-of-the-century rifles. And yes, Disassembly and Assembly are covered with step-by-step photos and explanations.
Helpful information can be gleaned from the internet; however much is restated from other postings or is based on limited information. Period Stevens catalogs and parts lists offer tantalizing insights, but leave many gaps, especially when models and components of Visible Loader rifles were changed, improved, or discontinued, sadly not always in coordination with printed material.
Subtle differences in dimensions can result in the purchase of incompatible parts, which is both frustrating and wasteful. If the Guide is in any way useful in helping to locate correct parts on the first try and to understand how those parts work together with the whole of other parts groups, then it may be content for a season.
I do not part-out rifles, leaving that practice to others who cater to today’s demand for original parts—but often at tomorrow’s prices.
The alternative to original parts is to produce new replacement parts. That is the path I chose to follow and offer new replacement parts, including all screws and a number of more complex and scarce items including lifters, locking cams, mainspring plunger wires, firing pins, extractor screws, etc. The few parts that I do not make in my small machine shop I also have on hand and offer them as original, used.
I look forward to discussions on issues concerning the Visible Loader.
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