Hi all, this is my first post and I’m hoping someone can help me. I bought this 1876 recently and would like to replace the sights with its original type. I realize someone drilled and tapped an extra hole in the upper tang obviously for a tang sight, but then removed it and placed what you see now. I ordered a letter from Cody, but in the meantime I would like to start looking for the correct sights and proper screws for the upper tang. If anybody can start me in the right direction I would appreciate it greatly!
Thank you very much
Tom,
On your 76 the rear barrel sight would likely be a Sporting Leaf Sight marked 1876 across the top. Ive got several and have owned quite a few more and they all had the Sporting Leaf Sight, however other original period rear barrel sight types are out there (Sporting Rear Sight). I would leave the front sight as it is. Here is a pic of the Sporting Leaf Sight.
If looking for a tang sight, you would be looking for a Vernier Peep Sight. The one captioned below is for an 1873 (marked “73” on the underside) but you get the picture.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Tom,
A different rear barrel sight is in order. It looks like its made for a narrow dovetail or has been filed down. I can see piece of wire or something wedged in the front to make it fit. Like Chris said a Sporting Leaf would look good on there. The upper tang has the extra hole but that will get covered with the right tang sight but it does look like the front hole might be tapped larger than normal judging from the head size so you might have to make or find a custom screw for the front. The normal size of the front hole should be about the size of the one added in the middle.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The front screw hole would have been originally tapped for a # 10-36 screw. You might want to remove the offending screw and check to see if the threads are still correct. The tang (rear) screw with a tang sight in place should be a #12-28 screw and be 1.9″ long to accommodate the added width of base of the tang sight.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Gentlemen, thank you very much for the quick replies. I’ll be on the lookout for the 1876 marked sporting leaf sight. Yes there is a piece of wire wedged into the dovetail, but the dovetail is still 3/8. I’ll also check the threads on the upper tang screw. I don’t think it was drilled out, it just has a round head screw in place. Again thank you for you advise and wisdom.
Tom
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