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Anyone know when Lyman started stamping their name & location on the bases ?
AG
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Interesting question, but I suspect (without hard evidence–just my hunch) it was much later than that–maybe the ’20s, or later. Catalog illustrations derived from drawings can’t be entirely trusted, as it’s not uncommon to see a maker’s name or trademark in the illustration that doesn’t appear on the product itself. I have no Lyman catalogs between 1920 & 1930, but a photo-illustration in the 1930 catalog shows that marking on the base of a #103, while the #1 & 2 illustrations are unchanged from much earlier catalogs; wouldn’t be worth the trouble to change the illustration for such a minor detail.
I too do not believe that Lyman began marking the top of the sight bases until sometime in the mid 1930s. I have seen a fair number of Model 55 rifles with original Lyman tang sights, and none of them have marked bases. The Model 55 was in production from 1924 – 1932.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you Clarence & Bert. Appreciate the responses.
AG
AG,
I do not have a great deal of reference material for Lyman sights. In fact, my primary reference for this subject is the book, Old Gunsights, by Nick Stroebel, and your thinking is pretty much inline with what he has written, although these markings are not always present. One other reference I have is a Lyman catalog, No. 16…and it is a 1927/28 publication as I recall.
Personally, I have two Winchester 1890’s that have Lyman tang sights that were more likely than not factory installed. I just checked the pictures I have on file of the one manufactured not long after 1905 and it is not marked. I’d have to pull the other one from the safe that was made shortly before 1905 to check it out, but I’m almost positive that it is not marked either.
This subject has come up more than once and nothing seems to change, despite whatever research including hands on inspections might have been done…kind of like politics and progress in this regard.
You might want to contact Nick to find out for certain what references he has used in both of his books to substantiate his claim. I spoke with him a number of years back, but I do not recall whether I went through his publisher to contact him, or not…but, that is one avenue available should you desire to contact him.
James
I will do that. Thank you kindly James for your reply and time on this one. Appreciated as always.
AG
I think after conferring with Lyman & a collector friend I’ve figured this out.
it appears pre 1920’s No 1, 2 & 1A, 2A tang bases were NOT marked with the logo on top. The base undersides are marked DA only.
Post 1920’s the bases had the logo & the underside had the numerical designation added with the application code.
?
AG
Bert H. said
I have seen a fair number of Model 55 rifles with original Lyman tang sights, and none of them have marked bases.
Bert
Since the sights themselves can’t easily be dated (short of finding one with a dated sales receipt), a datable rifle with a factory original sight is probably the best evidence now available; in fact, I’d consider Bert’s Model 55 data to be conclusive proof that the markings change on #1 & 2s occurred post-1932. The #103 was a horse of a different color, so it, & other less popular Lymans, might have been changed earlier, as it’s unlikely they were manufactured in large batches like the 1s & 2s.
Thank you Clarence. I forgot about Bert’s reply on the model 55 dates. Pre 1932.
AG.
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