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January 20, 2023
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Chuck, when Seewin and I were investigating what blank Winchester installed in the front sight dovetail of the “sightless” style of the Model 52 Sporting Rifle, we discovered Lyman had once made a “#12SF” blank specifically for front sight ramps — the only blank that will permit Winchester’s #3279/H hood (or any other) to fit over it because the #12 SF is square and doesn’t overhang the hood mounting grooves in the ramp.
The Lyman “#12S” is of a length that is shorter than the standard #12 and is sized for the shorter dovetails in 22 rimfire barrels. I put one on my Model 62 when I mounted Marble’s tang sight.
What the Model 70 wants is the standard Lyman #12, if not the Marble. I don’t think there’s a “correct” blank for a pre-64 Model 70. Lou may know better.
Bill
- 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.
November 5, 2014
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Zeb and Chuck-
The correct factory original rear sight for a M70 243 WIN Standard rifle is the Lyman 16B (adjustable from 0.345″ to 0.445″ height). I’ll picture one in its original packaging. These are very easy to find and inexpensive if desired.
As for barrel rear sight dovetail blanks on M70s, Winchester used a flat top blank like the original style Lyman 12S, not the later streamlined version with rounded edges. The ones Winchester used were not stamped “LYMAN” on top, but often were underneath. Note the recommended uses of the Lyman 12S (“S” for “Standard”) on the packaging in the next pic.
Of course, Model 70 Standard/Super Grade rifles with factory installed (Lyman 48WJS) receiver sights (hence delivered with a factory installed barrel blank) were last cataloged in 1950. About the only things made thereafter with a barrel dovetail blanks were National Match rifles, as most (but not all) of those barrels continued to be made with the superfluous rear sight dovetail. For illustration of what the blanks looked like into the 1950s, this is a Nat Match barrel on a 1955 rifle (s/n 333432).
In the case of Deg’s rifle, it wouldn’t matter. They never came with a factory dovetail filler so there’s no such thing as a “correct” one. I agree that I’d put something there just to protect the edges of the dovetail. But go just with what you like the best… 
Cheers,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
March 31, 2009
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Thanks for all the info. I wish the Model 12S was made again. Finding one of these is very uncommon. I bought one recently from a friend for $25. He knows I have a rifle that letters saying with Blank. It is stamped 12 S on the bottom side. I also bought 2 of the modern Lyman versions online for $15 for the pair.
January 20, 2023
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I misspoke — the smaller Lyman blank is a #12SS.
Our friends at Pre64win.com illustrate the various blank pieces and their purpose here:
https://pre64win.com/products/lyman-12ss-sight-slot-blank-for-the-rear-sight
- 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.
December 27, 2024
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Thank you all and even if I know something – it does not bother me one bit to know it better. BTW I think Ben is sending me one for this gun.
Dan #67288
December 27, 2024
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wow, sweet website, thanks for the link
Dan #67288
December 27, 2024
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So that website says a Lyman 12S with rounded ends for a 1956.
Dan #67288
November 5, 2014
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Hi Deg-
What Justin is saying is that the Lyman 12S with “streamlined” contours first appeared circa 1956. I suspect this is true…
That’s not the same thing as clarifying what Winchester put on 243 WIN chambered Model 70 Standard rifles in 1956. Like I said above, Winchester stopped installing rear sight dovetail blanks on M70 Standard/Super Grade rifles in 1951 when they discontinued the optional factory installed Lyman 48WJS receiver sights… Only National Match rifles continued to have blanks, and those were flat topped 12S until at least 1957…
If it matters, the only “factory correct” thing to go into that barrel dovetail is a Lyman 16B flip sight. That’s what the factory put there from 1955 (year the chambering was introduced) until 1963. Putting a blank there is FINE, but it doesn’t matter which one you choose b/c it’s not replicating factory. If you doubt me, call Pre64win and ask Justin, Andy or Mark…
Whatever you decide, yours is a NICE Model 70!!! Mine’s a 1957, s/n 417200.
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
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