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March 14, 2022
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Having some confusion about the 22E rear sight. Homestead parts describes it like this:
“No 22E SPORTING REAR SIGHT. These sights are very rare as they were only produced for a short period of time, starting in 1924 with production being abandoned in 1931. These sights were placed on a variety of older pre-64 Winchester rifles, including the 1866, 1873, 1886, 1892, 1894 Sporting rifles, 1894 carbines, and also models 53, 54, and 55 Winchesters. The sight is almost a full-buckhorn configuration and has serrated edges on the outside of the buckhorn. The early elevator is correct for this rear sight.”
I have one but it doesn’t have serrated edges and know of another with no serrated edges. Serrated edges were phased out Feb 1908. As well, the early Winchester elevator was phased out in 1901 so why would the early elevator be mentioned as correct if it was made 1924-1931?
Rick C
July 3, 2020
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My 2 cents….. “Homesteads” referral to “early” may be the 1901 pat. dated elevator. Their “later” would then be the unmarked elevator or a 3C elevator. The earliest elevators would be what I refer to as the “black powder” elevators. Personally, I’ve sold many of these sights… never saw one with serrations on the buckhorn. I have always used 1908 is the “breaking point” for serrations when asked. I’m always open for correction (which happens often 😉 ) Ben
March 14, 2022
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Ben Tolson said
My 2 cents….. “Homesteads” referral to “early” may be the 1901 pat. dated elevator. Their “later” would then be the unmarked elevator or a 3C elevator. The earliest elevators would be what I refer to as the “black powder” elevators. Personally, I’ve sold many of these sights… never saw one with serrations on the buckhorn. I have always used 1908 is the “breaking point” for serrations when asked. I’m always open for correction (which happens often 😉 ) Ben
Thanks for replying Ben. I would have to agree with you about Homesteads reference to the early elevator, being the Feb 5/1901 patent date with thumb serrations. Still not sure why they describe their sight with serrations on the side, maybe an error in the description. Theirs doesn’t show side serrations but not the best photo.
RickC
Rick C
March 14, 2022
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Did Winchester stop putting the “PAT.FEB.5.1901” stamp on the 1A/1B/1C elevators at any point or are those all repro’s without the date stamp?
Rick C
July 3, 2020
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My understanding is that the pat. date was dropped sometime in the 1920’s. Count the elevation steps and the ribs on the thumb of dated elevators, the repops that I’ve seen have more steps and/or less ribs. I’m sure someone has reproduced them exactly the same… makes it difficult for us all…
December 31, 2012
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In my collection, I have a drippy mint Transitional M94 # 1100457, PR date, 1-25-36 with a 1927 patent date on a beautiful 22-E Sporting sight, with the 3-C elevator. Not dated. That’s the one with the small screw for elevation? No serrations. These sights are uncommon. Big Larry
April 15, 2005
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RickC said
Did Winchester stop putting the “PAT.FEB.5.1901” stamp on the 1A/1B/1C elevators at any point or are those all repro’s without the date stamp?
Yes, they did stop marking the elevators with the February 1901 patent date sometime in the mid 1920s. The early Model 55 rifles are found with both marked and unmarked elevators, whereas the later production Model 55 Rifes are almost never found with a patent date on the elevator. Production of the Model 55 began in June 1924.
The 22-E sight was dropped in favor of the 22-G and 22-H sights in 1932 (at the same time the ramp front sights were introduced).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 14, 2022
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Thanks Bert. Good to know.
Rick C
January 7, 2014
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I have a 22E rear sight marked PAT.APPD.FOR. Was the early ones marked with this marking or is it a repo? Big Larry said his was dated 1927. Thank You.
March 14, 2022
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Win61 said
I have a 22E rear sight marked PAT.APPD.FOR. Was the early ones marked with this marking or is it a repo? Big Larry said his was dated 1927. Thank You.
I believe they were all marked that way but Bert could probably confirm. I believe the patent stamp was for the centre elevation screw.
Rick C
