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Can someone tell me what Winchester’s came with the Rocky Mountain front sight, of which guns they were suited for?
AG
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As far as I can tell the Rocky Mtn. was a Special order sight and was never a standard issue.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The Rocky Mountain front & rear sights were standard on the Model 1885 Plain Sporting Rifles. Most of Rocky Mountain front sights were blued steel with the vertical platinum insert to allow for lining the front sight up perfectly in the rear sight notch.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
The Winchester Rocky Mountain sight first shows up in the 1884 catalog according to Jim Gordon’s 1873 Survey book. I have an 1885 vintage 1876 deluxe rifle that has one installed. I have seen them on other semi-deluxe and deluxe 1873’s, single shots and 1876’s.
Other manufacturers such as Marlin made their own Rocky Mountain style sights and I have seen them installed on old Winchesters as well. The Marlin variety is illustrated on page 174 of Nick Stroebel’s “Old Gunsights” book. The Marlin sight is larger than the Winchester models and has a “pin and ball” profile which the Winchester models don’t have.
The Winchester Rocky Mountain sights were available in different heights (79A – G) according to Madis’ “The Sight Book.” According to that book these were for models 1866, 1873, 1876, single shot, 1886 large barrel, Hotchkiss, 1886, 1892, 1894, 1902, 1903, 1906, 1890…you get the idea.
For some reason my forums account is still listed as “guest” even though I renewed, so I can’t post photos. 
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Thank you Bill. That’s great info & appreciate your reply.
AG
Here is a Winchester Rocky Mountain sight installed on an 1876 rifle.
This is a test of my new account. WACA admins are testing my access to add photos. Bill
Your photo is viewable and looks great. Appreciate the reply & info.
AG
“Other manufacturers such as Marlin made their own Rocky Mountain style sights and I have seen them installed on old Winchesters as well. The Marlin variety is illustrated on page 174 of Nick Stroebel’s “Old Gunsights” book. The Marlin sight is larger than the Winchester models and has a “pin and ball” profile which the Winchester models don’t have.”
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Does this 1873 front sight below on Homestead website appear to be correct or the Marlin variety? They’re saying it’s Winchester.
Rick C
RickC said
Does this 1873 front sight below on Homestead website appear to be correct or the Marlin variety? They’re saying it’s Winchester.
I think Marlin, but from the Marlin catalog cut I have, I can’t tell for sure.
I will concur that it is not a Rocky Mountain Sporting front sight for a Winchester rifle. Winchester installed the RM sights as standard on the Single Shot rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have to agree. It looks just like one I had on my Marlin 1893 rifle I use to own. I think it was called knife edge.
Rick C
I’m curious now as my 85 single shot (dated 1888 from WACA) does not have a RM front sight. Should it? SN 29223 24″oct barrel 22 short. The front sight looks similar to the front sight on my 1892 carbine. Don
86Win said
I’m curious now as my 85 single shot (dated 1888 from WACA) does not have a RM front sight. Should it? SN 29223 24″oct barrel 22 short. The front sight looks similar to the front sight on my 1892 carbine. Don
Don,
I should have been a bit more precise and stated “high-wall” Single Shot rifles.
The Single Shot low-wall rifles in the rim fire cartridges were not equipped with a R.M. Sporting front sight. Most of them had a standard No. 21 sporting sight (like on your rifle), or a Lyman No. 3.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
RickC said
Found this. Pretty much what Homestead says is Winchester.
Much better illustration than one in my ’86 cat. Do you know the date of this one?
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