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January 20, 2023
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Let’s pretend the Montana Vintage Arms Buffalo Soule long range tang sight I own (a friendly transaction with Anthony) is mounted on a flawless Winchester 1885.
I store the rifle in a Bore Store, to protect it from hangar rash. MVA suggests its nifty fringed leather sight bags, a pair of which came today.
Because I know better than to store my Randall Bird & Trout knife in its leather scabbard, should I be equally concerned about these sight
bags? Not only do they make contact with the sights but also with the gun’s receiver and barrel.
Opinions?
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
April 15, 2005
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Bill,
I have a Single Shot rifle (40-70 Ballard claiber) that was originally purchased by W.E. Scagel (a semi-famous knife maker). The rifle was factory equipped with a long-range vernier graduated peep sight, and Scagel fashioned a leather sheath for the elevation staff (see the attached pictures). The leather sheath has been on/with the rifle since 1904, and thus far it has had no negative effects to the sight staff or the receiver frame.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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I use a couple of the bags similar to the ones from MVA. The leather is not the problem, it’s the chemicals used to tan it. I think the MVA folks wisely specify a type leather that won’t attack their fine sights. Most don’t have near the class of the one made by Scagel.
Mike
May 2, 2009
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The issue I see with leather against steel is if humidity/moisture is absorbed by the leather can cause rust. If your storage area is dry enough you probably will be ok unless the leather was tanned with urine. I will not store leather slings in a gun safe because I have seen the leather get funky.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
