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January 27, 1992
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I just received the July 2020 issue of “Guns & Ammo” magazine. On page 6 the question is ask as to where to get a Bolt Peep for a Model 71 Winchester. The answer offered by C. Boddington notes that the Peep sight was only offered for the first two years of production. I don’t have the exact information to the actual production period, but I believe the period of this sight availability to be longer. Do any of you in the “know” have information to confirm or disprove this statement? The author also suggests that a side mounted peep sight, which requires the drilling and tapping of the receiver, would be the best answer to solving the problem. That sent shudders through my soul. Any help here? Roger B
April 15, 2005
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Hello Roger,
Mr. C. Boddington did not respond with a correct answer, and he further displayed his lack of expertise by suggesting that the receiver should be drilled & tapped “to solve the problem”. I truly do not understand how someone like him can be a contributing writer to a firearms publication!!
The No. 98A bolt peep was the standard rear sight from 1935 – 1947 (13-years). It was listed as the standard sight as late as the October 1946 catalog, with the 22-K sight as optional. The January 1948 catalog was the first to list the Lyman No. 56W sight for the Model 71. Winchester replaced the No. 98A with the No. 56W in late 1947. In my research survey, 35% of all Model 71 rifles manufactured were equipped with the No. 98A bolt peep sight, and even though Winchester had ceased listing it in their catalog as of January 1948, there were at least several dozen more that were made through 1952 (I suspect parts clean-up).
In regards to the drilling & tapping the receiver frame, Winchester offered that option from day one, but did not make it “standard” until 1948. In the early production years, there were a substantial number of Model 71 rifles special ordered with a Redfield receiver sight (I have surveyed (85) thus far).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 14, 2009
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Oop! about 15 years ago I sold a pre war M71 with the receiver drilled and tapped for a sight but I sold it because it had those extra holes that I thought were not factory! I might have kept the gun had I known that they solid have been done at the factory.
April 15, 2005
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Dave,
On the pre-War Model 71s with receiver sight holes in them, a simple inspection of the holes & threads will tell you if they were factory work or aftermarket work. Simply check the tapped threads for bluing (or a lack of bluing). Winchester completed all machining work prior to bluing. If the holes were drilled & tapped after the fact, the threaded holes will be in the white (and usually a bit rough at the hole entrance).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 14, 2009
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Bert, Thanks for that information. I sold the gun locally so I might get a chance to have a better look at the holes or even buy the gun Back. I did moose hunt with it a few times and really like the .348 as much as my .35 WCF.
Bert H. said
Hello Roger,Mr. C. Boddington did not respond with a correct answer, and he further displayed his lack of expertise by suggesting that the receiver should be drilled & tapped “to solve the problem”. I truly do not understand how someone like him can be a contributing writer to a firearms publication!!
The No. 98A bolt peep was the standard rear sight from 1935 – 1947 (13-years). It was listed as the standard sight as late as the October 1946 catalog, with the 22-K sight as optional. The January 1948 catalog was the first to list the Lyman No. 56W sight for the Model 71. Winchester replaced the No. 98A with the No. 56W in late 1947. In my research survey, 35% of all Model 71 rifles manufactured were equipped with the No. 98A bolt peep sight, and even though Winchester had ceased listing it in their catalog as of January 1948, there were at least several dozen more that were made through 1952 (I suspect parts clean-up).
In regards to the drilling & tapping the receiver frame, Winchester offered that option from day one, but did not make it “standard” until 1948. In the early production years, there were a substantial number of Model 71 rifles special ordered with a Redfield receiver sight (I have surveyed (85) thus far).
Bert
Hello Bert. I recently purchased a Model 71built in 1936 which is missing the aperture . Any idea on possible availability or replacement options? Thank you! Lou
April 15, 2005
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Louis Damico said
Hello Bert. I recently purchased a Model 71built in 1936 which is missing the aperture . Any idea on possible availability or replacement options? Thank you! Lou
Lou,
The aperture is the small diameter knurled disc with the peep hole in it… is that what you are missing, or are you actually missing the base of the No. 98A bolt-peep sight? Can you post (or send me) a picture of your Model 71 ?
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 9, 2019
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Bert H. said
Louis Damico said
Hello Bert. I recently purchased a Model 71built in 1936 which is missing the aperture . Any idea on possible availability or replacement options? Thank you! Lou
Lou,
The aperture is the small diameter knurled disc with the peep hole in it… is that what you are missing, or are you actually missing the base of the No. 98A bolt-peep sight? Can you post (or send me) a picture of your Model 71 ?
Bert – [email protected]
Hello Bert:
I realize this is an old thread, but do you know what the thread-pitch is for the bolt peep aperture?
Thank you.
Best,
Joon OK
April 15, 2005
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joon1911 said
Hello Bert:
I realize this is an old thread, but do you know what the thread-pitch is for the bolt peep aperture?
Thank you.
Best,
Joon OK
I do not know what the actual thread pitch is, but I can tell you that it is the same pitch for all other Lyman peep sights.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 11, 2026
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I know the thread is older so hopefully I can get a reply.
I have a 1936 Model 71 with a 98A bolt peep. I was wondering if they came with different size apertures ? If so are they available anywhere? The one that is on this beautiful rifle is large and Im hoping I can find a medium for m bit more precision.
Thank you,
Mike
April 15, 2005
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Kenpo5 said
I know the thread is older so hopefully I can get a reply.
I have a 1936 Model 71 with a 98A bolt peep. I was wondering if they came with different size apertures ? If so are they available anywhere? The one that is on this beautiful rifle is large and Im hoping I can find a medium for m bit more precision.
Thank you,
Mike
I have only ever found them with just one size aperture disc. As it relates to the apertures, the larger the outside diameter of the disc is, the smaller (finer) the inside diameter of the peep hole. The small outside diameter apertures discs were designed for hunting purposes, allowing for faster sighting and more light through the peep hole.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 20, 2023
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Bert, what is the.thread pitch of the Winchester bolt peep aperture?
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
April 15, 2005
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Zebulon said
Bert, what is the.thread pitch of the Winchester bolt peep aperture?
Bill,
Reference Post #9 in this topic string…
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 20, 2023
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Bert H. said
Zebulon said
Bert, what is the.thread pitch of the Winchester bolt peep aperture?
Bill,
Reference Post #9 in this topic string…
Bert
Bert, Another source says it is a WRA proprietary size, 7/32 x 40, which is not perfectly a fit for the 10 x 32 size used by Lyman and Redfield. Aperturesnmore.com carries the correct size in a vintage style. Buffalo Arms carries some Williams brand apertures that are 7/32 x40. Now, I can’t vouch for this information but that’s what I found. I do know my Williams apertures fit my vintage Lyman 70 receiver sight. Further Affiant Saith Not.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
January 20, 2023
Offline
Zebulon said
Bert H. said
Zebulon said
Bert, what is the.thread pitch of the Winchester bolt peep aperture?
Bill,
Reference Post #9 in this topic string…
Bert
The Winchester 98A bolt peep uses apertures with the industry standard attachment screw size and pitch of 7/32″ x 32 TPI, which is the size and pitch used by Lyman, Redfield, Williams and probably others, except for a few old rimfire sights and large, specialized sights such as the Redfield Olympic/International.
ERRATA
Another source says it is a WRA proprietary size, 7/32 x 40, which is not perfectly a fit for the 10 x 32 size used by Lyman and Redfield. Aperturesnmore.com carries the correct size in a vintage style. Buffalo Arms carries some Williams brand apertures that are 7/32 x40. Now, I can’t vouch for this information but that’s what I found. I do know my Williams apertures fit my vintage Lyman 70 receiver sight. Further Affiant Saith Not.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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