I've heard something somewhere about a Spanish(?) Mauser that lends itself to conversion to 45-70. Where would I acquire one of these and what would the conversion entail? Would it be a simple ream to 45-70 or would a rebarrel be required? Inquiring minds want to know....

thanks,
Ian

Siamese, actually. They are said to lend themselves to it in the sense that they were built for an odd rimmed cartridge, but from what I have heard getting them to feed something other than the 8x50/52R or whatever it was, is not so straight forward.

They are still around with some frequency on auction sites, but the going prices are starting to lean more toward keeping them in original state as collectors items, rather than using them for sporters. You could probably find one that someone has already taken apart, or even one that is already in sporter form, if you look around. The other option is a barrelled action, which have surfaced recently - probably from the SS or some other auctions. Numrich has most of the parts to complete your barrelled action for sporter use.

HTH,
Todd

there were some siamese/45-70's produced commercially some years back by, I believe, Century Arms in Vermont. They turn up in the Gunlist and on Auction Arms.com sometimes. They were minimally converted, new stock, bolt handle turned.

Looked like fun, tho, and if I ever see one I'll buy it.

Gibbs makes an SMLE converted to 45-70, also, but you can't use hot loads in it.

-tincan

The Siamese mausers are made for a rimmed cartridge so there is minimal modification necessary. They first came on the market about 30 years ago.

On the other hand, unless one was absolutely committed to the old warhorse, conversion of a M98 to the cartridge known as the .458 x 2.5" American would be easier, just open up the bolt face and screw on a barrel. For brass, you run .458 Win through a case trimmer and then you can use any .45/70 load you want, clear up to those only suitable for Ruger #1's.

old sarge,
that's 458x2" as the 458 is a 2.5
commericall sold as 450 marlin, with a taller belt

it looks like a mosin nagant can be ocnverted to 45/70 as well

jeffe

I have built up several 45-70,s on standard 98 actions.Rebarrel,alter the bolt face and extracter and they work fine.These were to be used singleshot,so makeing them feed wasn't an issue.As mentioned,the siamese mausers make great 45-70,s.They will feed with alittle ajustment.I've also done one on a 1917 enfield.Making them feed is a little bit of work, but it can be done.

Gibbs ( I think) is converting lee enfields to 45-70. If you just have to have a bolt action 45-70. I don't know anything about them other than seeing them on their web site. rojelio

Suggest that in future you do your homework on the net before quizzing the forum: check out gunbroker.com 17763276 and auctionarms.com 5670281. Searched "Mauser 45-70" and "Mauser 45/70".

Both look good.

I know that I.T.& D. Custom in Ohio listed rebarreled Siamese Mauser actions on 45-70 on the most recent price sheet I saw (about a year ago). Unfortunately, I don't have the sheet handy, but I don't recall them being overly expensive.

I dug up my price list from I.T. & D. Custom Gun, dated 2/6/03, and it lists Siamese Mausers, with bent bolts and rim taken off action face and rebarreled in 45-70 with a Douglas premium barrel for $398.00

Navy Arms did a ton of these conversions back in the 70's. I had a local 'smith do mine with a Douglas barrel, just like NA.

Bolt handle cut and welded, bolt face opened slightly, and minor (IIRC) opening of feed rails was about all that was needed.

LOVE the way it shoots!!

Just finished one up on a Siamese. Found the action, barrel, and other parts here on the classified board, stock from GAG. Lots of fun to shoot.