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March 15, 2020
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Question for Bert,
This is the top tang on my 1885 Winchester 22 low wall. I have a sight that will fit 2 tang bolts but am wondering about 2 small screws. It is obviously set up for tang sight as fitted with folding 2 blade rear sight and no groove in top of receiver. I doubt that it was ever fitted with a tang sight. When my kids go to sell it should it have a tang sight? Don
April 15, 2005
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Don,
Did you forget to attach pictures? What is the serial number? What cartridge is it chambered for? Does it have a No. 2 barrel?
If it was not originally equipped with a tang sight, it should stay that way unless you intend to shoot it.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 15, 2020
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Bert, I have sent info to you before but just in case SN 97274, 22 long R, 28″tapered octagon #1barrel, single set trigger, folding 2 leaf rear sight, front jack sight, lettered with nickle butt plate, pistol grip with hard rubber cap, checkered stocks, CF stamped on lower tang along with assembly no. I thought I down loaded picture of tang but I missed something. I will try again. Don
April 15, 2005
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Don,
I must have forgotten about this rifle. In my defense, I look at several hundred new Winchester rifles & shotguns every single week (in my continuing survey quests), and I cannot remember them all.
Unfortunately, the two extra holes drilled & tapped in the upper tang were a serious mistake by a previous owner. Why that person simply did not use the existing factory holes is something I fail to understand. That stated, the damage has been done, and there is little that can be done to fix it (inexpensively). If it were mine, I most likely would install a correct (“SB” coded) Lyman No. 2A tang sight to cover up the extra holes, and improve it from a shooter’s point of view.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 1, 2013
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Bert H. said Why that person simply did not use the existing factory holes is something I fail to understand.
Bert
That would have meant buying a new sight. But why drill two when one, using also the factory-drilled hole, would have sufficed? The spacing looks like it might be for Stevens, 1-1/2″, & most Stevens tang sights had the advantage of a windage adjustment.
March 15, 2020
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I just measured between holes centers 1-7/16″. The screws seem very small also. It seems like I have heard of tang sights with that measurement before for something other than Winchester. Don
November 1, 2013
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86Win said
I just measured between holes centers 1-7/16″. The screws seem very small also. It seems like I have heard of tang sights with that measurement before for something other than Winchester. Don
Another reason to think it was drilled for a Stevens, as Stevens screws are unusually small–whatever size would mike .125″. Don’t know what make the 1-7/16″ spacing would be for–nothing common. So maybe it was just a case of being “off” slightly when it was drilled; the holes in the sight base could be wallowed out enough to make it work.
And Don, if you spend the money for a SB sight, better epoxy the front screw to make sure it would be more trouble than it”s worth to remove it, just in case someone get suspicious about it!
July 17, 2012
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Clarence said
And Don, if you spend the money for a SB sight, better epoxy the front screw to make sure it would be more trouble than it”s worth to remove it, just in case someone get suspicious about it!
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”
Clarence, I hope you were joking. 😉
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 1, 2013
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JWA said
Clarence, I hope you were joking. 😉
Only half-way. If the intention is to conceal the damage from some potential buyer, any sight with Winchester spacing will suffice. Spending the extra dough for an “S” marked sight won’t matter if that buyer is cautious enough to remove it–as I was not, when I bought one with exactly the same problem.
