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June 4, 2011
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Howdy,
Friend has a 1948 Model 70 in .257 Roberts (inherited). It was a regular hunting gun, and condition reflects that. It is missing the front and rear sight (both dovetails empty: on the barrel boss and on the front ramp).
It is my understanding that the rear sight on these guns was a ramp-type buckhorn (in appearance much like on a ’94). We are not necessarily interested in originality toward replacement (perhaps cost prohibitive), but more toward functionality. It is also my understanding that a common substitution was something like a Lyman #16. (Lyman offers 3 heights currently.) The gun is scoped, but needs those slots filled with something that can be operational and of good appearance. We are not wed to the Lyman: it is just what we’ve located so far.
We are seeking information on the height measurements of each sight from the bottom of the dovetail, and/or specific recommendations for replacements that will operate with this caliber/trajectory.
Any assistance greatly appreciated. This gun will go afield this fall for the first time in decades. It should be complete.
Thank you.
November 5, 2014
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Hi spitpatch-
The original factory sights on a 1948 standard rifle would have been a Winchester 22G sporting rear sight and a Winchester 103C silver bead front sight 0.310″ tall. The standing leaf of the Win 22G had a vertical height (perpendicular to the barrel) of 0.380″. They look like this:
If the sporting sight would interfere with your scope installation but you still want functional metallic sights, you could go with the sights that were used beginning about 1952 with the Monte Carlo style stock. These gave a 0.050″ higher line of sight to make them easier to use with the MC comb, but would be fine on the low comb NRA style stock on your friends rifle as long as you have a slightly taller front sight to line up with the slightly taller folding rear sight. The front sight is the same Winchester 103C style, but 0.360″ tall. The folding barrel sight from about 1952-53 was a low height Marbles 69, and from 1954-63 was the ubiquitous Lyman 16B. Taller versions of the folding rear, the tall Marbles 69 and the Lyman 16A, were used in conjunction with the same 0.360″ tall Win 103C on the Featherweight barrels that lacked the barrel boss, but those rear sights would be too tall on your standard barrel.
If you go to pre64win.com you can see photos of all of these sights (high and low versions) that will help identify which ones to choose. I don’t know if Justin has all the sights you need, but the pictures will clarify what I’m talking about.
Hope this helps… 
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
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