Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
WTB a 98c Bolt Peepsight for a Model 65 project
Avatar
Paul H
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 49
Member Since:
July 22, 2018
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
May 21, 2025 - 8:42 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

As a follow up to my previous  post on 5-16 about Tang Markings or the lack of them.  Are there any leads out there on the availability of a 98c peep sight??

The bolt appears to be properly milled OEM.
 
Just checking with the experienced “Experts” out in the “field”. Any input will be appreciated 

I think it’s a worthy project/attempt at Restoration there are some more pictures included in the earlier post. 

9D8AA425-E965-405A-8672-9447E8ECA552.jpegImage EnlargerPaul

Avatar
Bert H.
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12840
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
May 21, 2025 - 9:53 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Paul,

Is this the rifle with a 32 WCF barrel?  If it is, the correct step to take is to replace the milled (218 Bee) bolt with a standard (non-milled) bolt.  Finding a small caliber bolt (Model 1892, 53, or 65) with be immensely easier than finding a loose No. 98C bolt peep sight (and it will cost significantly less).  With extremely rare exception, the Model 65 rifles in calibers 25-20 WCF and 32 WCF were not special ordered and fitted with a No. 98C bolt peep sight.

In my research survey for the Model 65, I have thus far documented (452) rifles made for the 218 Bee cartridge, and of that number, just (397) were factory equipped with the No. 98C bolt peep sight.  The remaining (55) 218 Bee rifles (approximately 12.2%) were equipped with the lesser expensive No. 22-H barrel mounted rear sight.  

Your other option (and my recommendation) would be to locate an original Model 65 218 Bee barrel to replace the 32 WCF barrel.

Bert

WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Paul H
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 49
Member Since:
July 22, 2018
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
May 22, 2025 - 12:34 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Thanks for the input Bert. This project will easily slide onto the “back burner”. We should have a little time to map out a proper path to take on the “Restoration” plan.   It’ll give me a good excuse to scour the gunshow tables and wrecking yards for the components needed to make it work.  PH

Avatar
Edward Southgate
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 29
Member Since:
April 6, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
July 6, 2025 - 9:27 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

If Mike Richards still runs Old Gun Sights he might still be able to supply the reproduction bolt peep sight and repair parts for the originals. PM if you want his number. Also might post a want to buy on 24hourcampfire.com . There is a member there who had one or more he would sell a while back. 

 

[email protected] 

Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.

Avatar
Chuck
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 5799
Member Since:
March 31, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
July 6, 2025 - 10:17 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Edward Southgate said
If Mike Richards still runs Old Gun Sights he might still be able to supply the reproduction bolt peep sight and repair parts for the originals. PM if you want his number. Also might post a want to buy on 24hourcampfire.com . There is a member there who had one or more he would sell a while back. 

 

[email protected] 

  

I believe Mike retired. 

Avatar
Ben
Northeast Washington
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 550
Member Since:
July 3, 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
July 6, 2025 - 10:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

Mike has retired…  He sold all his sights & parts.  I was able to purchase all the remaining 98A repair parts.  I will have them at the Cody gun show this next week.  

Avatar
Edward Southgate
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 29
Member Since:
April 6, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
July 7, 2025 - 10:55 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Glad he got to retire but I will miss the resource . 

Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.

Avatar
rogertherelic
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 922
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
July 10, 2025 - 5:23 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

Something you should check is to see, if the firing pin is machined to accept the bolt peep.  I have seen parts clean-up bolts that had the bolt machined for the peep sight, but the firing pin was the standard round firing pin.  This prevents the peep sight from being installed properly. 

RDB

Avatar
Edward Southgate
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 29
Member Since:
April 6, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
July 18, 2025 - 11:16 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

rogertherelic said
Something you should check is to see, if the firing pin is machined to accept the bolt peep.  I have seen parts clean-up bolts that had the bolt machined for the peep sight, but the firing pin was the standard round firing pin.  This prevents the peep sight from being installed properly. 

RDB

  

You don’t by chance have a picture of a pin cut for the bolt peep that you can post , do you ? The bolt with peep that I bought off of Ebay does not have a firing pin . I can buy a standard pin and modify it if I knew what the difference is . Otherwise I will have to pay triple the price for a pin already cut for the peep. Since I am not skilled at disassembling my 71 that also has the bolt peep it would be handy to see one someone else took apart.

Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.

Avatar
rogertherelic
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 922
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
July 19, 2025 - 2:11 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

Sorry, I failed to take a picture of the firing pin when I had it out.  It was many years ago and I didn’t even have a digital camera then.  Perhaps another member has a photo of the modified firing pin.  Looking at the open bolt, you can see where the ‘drum shaped’ nut for the elevation thumb screw slides in.  The firing pin sides are machined to allow the sight sides to fit over the pin.  It also has reliefs cut for the elevation nut and thumb screw. RDB

92-65-Bolt-001.JPGImage Enlarger92-65-Bolt-002.JPGImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: tionesta1, Bill Jokela, Byron Russell, Louis Luttrell, keith shaffer, 86Win, NE Herd Bull
Guest(s) 79
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 6397
Chuck: 5799
steve004: 5155
1873man: 4691
deerhunter: 2692
Big Larry: 2546
twobit: 2491
mrcvs: 2189
Maverick: 2023
Newest Members:
Diego
Bkmkok
Leonardb
Skysquatch82
cdavis5705
jj95
DWill01
Joe Bang
pew pew
Longrangesniper
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14687
Posts: 131408

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2057
Members: 9967
Moderators: 3
Admins: 4
Administrators: Mike Hager, Bert H., JWA, SethJ
Moderators: Rob Kassab, Brad Dunbar, Heather
Navigation