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3-leaf Express sight for 1894
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Troutdale, OR
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June 18, 2015 - 9:54 pm
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I recently acquired a high condition 1894 (serial# 27126) 30WCF, octagon barrel, half magazine, take-down, semi-deluxe, I-checkered pistol grip rifle.  It now has a Lyman #1 tang sight with a blank in the rear sight dovetail.  I ordered a Cody letter for it, but it won’t be to me for another couple weeks.  Anyway, looking at the slight wear marks left behind on the barrel flat, it appears that it originally had a number 34 3-leaf Express sight.  I know there are a few variations of this sight–codes B, C, etc., platinum lined vs. plain, leafs marked 1,2,3 vs. 50,1,2.  I would like to find a correct/original condition sight for this rifle.  Could anyone tell me exactly what variation I should be looking for?  Does anyone out there have one for sale?

Thanks,

Don

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June 18, 2015 - 11:43 pm
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I have a 30WCF 1894 that also had a blank but a 34 Series express sight matched the wear perfect.  The rifle is from 1907 and currently has a 34C.  The rifle is one of my favorite shooters and the sight works well when using a tang sight and matches the finish well enough.  That type is probably the most common optional rear sight.  You should be able to locate a nice one for your rifle.

I have found more 34C Three Leaf Express sights on 30WCF 1894s.  I see the platinum lines more often on older guns like yours.  I also have found sights marked 1,2 and 3 on older 30WCF rifles.  The majority I have seen so far are marked 50, 1 and 2 however.

Brad

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Brad Dunbar

http://1895book.com/

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June 19, 2015 - 12:31 am
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Thanks Brad.  Your post is very helpful.  The wear marks on my rifIe look very similar–just a bit more faint.  I did read somewhere that the 34B was for the smokeless calibers and the 34C was for the black powder calibers. Have I been misled?  I read all of your articles from your 1894 sight project and noticed nearly all examples of the 34C were on 30WCF rifles.  I agree that the sight that I should look for is the platinum lined with the 1,2,3 on the leafs since it is an older production 1897 gun.

Don

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June 19, 2015 - 12:55 am
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Don

I believe that the last sentence in the description of 34 series sights on page 289 of Old Gunsights might be an error?  I’d think the shorter leaf on the 34C would be what I’d want on a smokeless rifle.   

Leaves marked 50, 1 and 2 might be OK also and could be easier to find.  I have also found those in the serial range of your rifle.  I haven’t seen very many marked 1, 2 and 3 personally, but maybe I’m looking in the wrong places.

I like those sights because they don’t obstruct the view through a peep sight for me, but you still have something there to use if you can’t use the peep.  I haven’t fooled around with flipping up the different leaves much because you find so many of them are broken. 

Thanks,

Brad

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Brad Dunbar

http://1895book.com/

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June 19, 2015 - 1:07 am
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Thanks again Brad.  You have been very helpful.  Old Gunsights is where I had read about the 34B vs. the 34C designations–I think you’re right about the error.  Now the hunt begins.

Don

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