Unfortunately a prior owner cut the barrel down 4 inches. They basically hacksawed the barrel flush with the Mag tube. What was lost was the dovetail in the barrel for the Mag tube hanger, the set-back for the Mag-tube hanger, and finally the radius for the lever lug that holds things in place. So what was left was a 21-7/8" inch mess.
Now, truth be told...having lived up here in the puckerbrush ~ a short barrelled rifle would be the cat's meow. And I have never been enamored of the shortened fore-end on most Winchester take downs. A 26" barrel never balances right and a custom ordered short barreled take-down with the shortened forestock...doesn't either ~ at least in my hand...perhaps it's fine in yours
So was born this project gun. I didn't have to change the configuration of a valuable gun to get a true Maine Brush Gun.
Through this forum, I had been made aware of a gentleman that was doing extraodinary work on Winchesters. His name is Mike Hunter. All I have heard has been positive about Mike.
So I contacted him...He said send it...and on pure faith, I did.
I cannot tell you how old school this whole deal has been. I asked that he take only the forend section of the gun. Not the whole gun. That allowed me to ship it through the regular mail and have it returned that way. He shortened the barrel to 20", remounted the front sight in the correct setback (unlike how it had been done)... cut the mag tube slot, had a spare mag tube hanger that he installed on the gun, then radius slotted the receiver for the mag tube hanger lever. The turn around time was less then two weeks. He never billed me...just sent the bill in the mail with the returned barrel, forestock, and mag tube.!!!!
The total cost of the job was frankly, flooring..... I expected to pay much more.
As to the workmanship....it is unbelievable. Perfect and Flawless come to mind. Everything is as if it left the Winchester plant as on the day it was shipped...
So here is a absolute 100 percent post about a old school gunsmith that says what he means, does what he says, under-promised and over delivered.....
Can you tell I'm more then happy with the the job!
Anyone that is considering having top-notch restoration or repair work done to their own Winny... will be well served to use Mike Hunter.
One Happy Camper,
giz
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