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FWIW an acquaintance has a Win 1885 high wall with a Pope-marked 22LR barrel that has a rear dovetail cut (just a few inches ahead of the receiver) for a large dovetail where the Win 82A model rear sight is a perfect fit.
The Pope markings place the barrel to 1911 and everything else appears original on the arm. Was this a common practice? I am told that this rifle was likely campaigned by a shooter who used this when matches demanded the use of open sights.
I don’t have a picture, but there is also a blank currently in place in the dovetail, to which a base for a Unertl scope is affixed. From my research, the dovetail was cut right in the same spot for typical Unertl dimensions, at least as when compared to my T/D high wall winder musket.
Anyone ever see or hear of something like this?
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Over the past 30+ years, I have probably looked at 5,000+ Model 1885 rifles, and I am unfamiliar with what you are describing. So, and in answer to your questions, my answer is No, I have not seen or heard of it on a Model 1885, or any other Winchester Model. I would appreciate seeing some pictures of the rifle in question though.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
FYI, here’s some information I’ve just learned from someone who belongs to the ASSRA (American Single Shot Rifle Assoc.):
"I haven’t seen a 1885 with a 82a in that position; but the same dovetail would also accept a Lyman 48, Wittek-Vaver or Marbles-Goss sights meant for the same vintage Win 52. All of those would be better sights (in my opinion) and would position the aperture closer to the eye with their rearward extensions, have finer more precise repeatable adjustments and the option of a wide variety of eyecup/aperture types.
I have seen each of those on other falling block single shots, like Ballard and Stevens meant for 22lr three position match use … altho in each case using a mounting block screwed to the action side, instead of the large ’52’ type dovetail. Maybe a previous owner just cut the dovetail for a sight he already owned; then later a mating scope block was fitted."
The little tidbit I highlighted in bold text above gives me more credence that the high wall with the dovetail cut into the barrel had been used in competitive 3-position shooting … as tang-type sights would have been forbidden.
And since it was cut into a H. M. Pope-marked barrel … that’s surely not good … 🙁
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