skipj Report post Posted January 29, 2008 I'm looking for a better way to cover the lever of a Marlin 1884 rifle. I bought it used and it has a strip of leather wound spirally around the bottom of the lever. I doesn't look that great and tends to come unwound. I've seen a fold of leather sewn around the lever used with the bottom fringed, but that doesn't appeal to me either. I was thinking of braiding if that would work. I guess the idea is to cushion the shooters fingers and dress it up. It's just the bottom of the lever that's covered. Thanks in advance. SkipJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hidemechanic Report post Posted January 29, 2008 So, am I getting this right?, you want to cover the loop of the lever where your fingers go in to operate the lever? If so there are different braids and lace you can use to cover the lever. Others will have to jump in on the how to. I've seen sailor's braid everything you can think of. You may want to go with a softer temper, wider lace for the effect you want. You can have tails if you want or tuck the tails for a finished look. Hope that's what you were asking. At first I thought you were talking about the scabbard for levers and I have done different versions of those too, for guys looking for more securety when in the saddle.GH Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan Report post Posted January 29, 2008 I think it would be mostly decorative and maybe cushion the shooters knuckles during the firing cycle. Don't know anything about braiding but I would guess you would need to be able to remove it for cleaning and preventing rust under the leather due to moisture retention. With a winchester 94 if the braid was anywhere but the lower part it would prevent the fire safety button from being pushed in far enough to allow it to fire. just another trivial gem from the recess of my mind. LOL Jordan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunfighter48 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 (edited) The braiding is used on the lower part of the lever to do two things, padding for your fingers, and to fill up some of the space. Filling up the space makes the fit for your hand better, less room to batter your fingers. It also makes operation of the lever slightly faster and more sure footed (less waisted movement of you hand). The cowboy action shooters will take any advantage they can get. And after shooting all day anything that pads your fingers is a VERY good thing. Been there done that!!! John Edited January 30, 2008 by gunfighter48 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skipj Report post Posted January 30, 2008 Thanks for the reply's, I should have posted a picture on what I meant. It's like gunfighter48 said, just the lower part, away from the stock. I hadn't thought about rust under the leather, perhaps a less permanent solution is called for. Thanks again, skipJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunfighter48 Report post Posted January 30, 2008 (edited) Hi skipi, I never had a problem with my lever gun rusting under the wrapping. But I used to take the wrapping off every couple of months and lube the lever, then rewrap it. Be sure to use veg tanned leather to wrap the lever. Other leathers, especially chrome tanned, will eat the finish off the guns. John Edited January 30, 2008 by gunfighter48 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted January 30, 2008 Hi skipi,I never had a problem with my lever gun rusting under the wrapping. But I used to take the wrapping off every couple of months and lube the lever, then rewrap it. Be sure to use veg tanned leather to wrap the lever. Other leathers, especially chrome tanned, will eat the finish off the guns. John John Wayne did not have any Leather on his... and Johnny Yuma didn't on his either dont want want none on mine.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan Report post Posted January 30, 2008 The Rifleman had a big ol lever probly wooda took a half a hide to cover it, oh wait.... maybe that was the porno he did, LOL oh no it was the son that did that, dang now I'm all confused! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hidemechanic Report post Posted January 31, 2008 Jonny Yuma!! Now that's one I wish they'd bring back! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted January 31, 2008 "JOHNNY YUMA WAS A REBEL" STARRING" NICK ADAMS" MY FAVORITE........Josh Randal........... with the Mares Leg...... he needed no leather wrap! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunfighter48 Report post Posted January 31, 2008 John Wayne did not have any Leather on his... and Johnny Yuma didn't on his eitherdont want want none on mine.... rofl.gif But they didn't have to shoot 200 - 400 rounds in a 4 - 6 hour time frame! Have seen people at the end of the day with very blistered fingers, not fun. Besides all the actors had stunt doubles. My Aunt's brother was a custom motorcycle builder back in the 60s and knew Nick Adams very well. Nick came to Seattle for a custom bike show, had a couple of his own bikes in the show. I got to spend 4 hours with him while he visited with my Aunt's brother. He was a lot shorter than I thought he would be, but was a very nice man to be around. He loved custom bikes! He's the only celeb that I ever met. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randyc Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Skip Check out the resource page on this site. Theres a link with alot of good info, patterns ect. for western gear including covering the lever on a lever action rifle. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skipj Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Thanks Everyone, Skip Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted February 4, 2008 But they didn't have to shoot 200 - 400 rounds in a 4 - 6 hour time frame! Have seen people at the end of the day with very blistered fingers, not fun. Besides all the actors had stunt doubles.My Aunt's brother was a custom motorcycle builder back in the 60s and knew Nick Adams very well. Nick came to Seattle for a custom bike show, had a couple of his own bikes in the show. I got to spend 4 hours with him while he visited with my Aunt's brother. He was a lot shorter than I thought he would be, but was a very nice man to be around. He loved custom bikes! He's the only celeb that I ever met. John THAT WAS A GOOD READ ,THANKS FOR SHARING (CACTUS LUKE sass # 26182) " nobody gave me this black eye i fought for it" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunfighter48 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 (edited) THAT WAS A GOOD READ ,THANKS FOR SHARING(CACTUS LUKE sass # 26182) " nobody gave me this black eye i fought for it" MY SASS name was "Diamondback John" cause the only good rattlesnake is a DEAD rattlesnake!! LOL I really enjoyed Cowboy Action Shooting. Being a kid from the 50's, there's no more fun than playing cowboys and Indians with real guns!!!!!!!!! After 8 years my back gave out and I had to get out of the sport. But I still shoot each month at the local range with my 1911 45ACP's. Nothing better to get rid of stress in your life than blowing holes in targets. John Edited February 5, 2008 by gunfighter48 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
