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March 14, 2022
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I noticed the 3 Leaf Express rear sight in my 1891 catalog. I didn’t realize they went back that far. The catalog shows the platinum line 3 leaf Express, which is just called the Winchester Express rear sight. Can anyone advise when they were first introduced in the catalogs and what models they came on. I assume rifles with tang sights.
Rick C
November 1, 2013
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RickC said Can anyone advise when they were first introduced in the catalogs and what models they came on. I assume rifles with tang sights.
They weren’t standard on any model–merely an option like tang sights. And not standard when a tang sight was ordered, either.
April 15, 2005
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Rick,
The Winchester Express sights (front & rear) were available as early as 1885 based on the Single Shot ledger records. While the Winchester Express sight was never a “standard” sight per se, it was a very common “optional” sight for the Single Shot rifles, especially those that were chambered for the various Winchester “Express” cartridges (e.g. 38 EX, 40 EX., 45 EX, 50-95 Express, and 50-110 EX). Further, the vast majority of all Winchester rifles that were exported to the U.K. and its colonies in India, were fitted with the Winchester Express sights. While I do not have an accurate count (at this time), my estimate is that at least 1,000 Single Shot rifles were exported to the U.K. and India with Winchester Express sights on them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 14, 2022
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Thanks Clarence.
That’s very interesting Bert. You never know until you ask and I wasn’t able to find much information. Appreciate your reply & info.
Rick C
July 14, 2016
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From what I have seen, they are also relatively common on the 1894 rifles and carbines. My 1901 made 1894 has one on it and from the blue wear around it, has been on there since it was built. 1894 SRCs in 38-55 and 25-35 also seem to commonly have the 3 leaf express sight fitted.
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
July 31, 2005
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I looked at my catalogs and the earliest one that shows the Express sights is November 1887. As Bert pointed out, it appears that Winchester was fitting the Express sights to rifles before they showed up in the catalog.
I owned an 1876 Express rifle, SN 60953 made in 1888 that was fitted with the Express front and rear sights. I have another one SN 39930 that has an Express rear sight. The records show “platina front and rear sights” for this rifle.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
July 31, 2005
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Bert, do you see the Express front sight on any, most or few of the single shot rifles that have the Express rear?
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
April 15, 2005
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Bill Hockett said
Bert, do you see the Express front sight on any, most or few of the single shot rifles that have the Express rear?
Bill,
Most of them that have an Express rear sight also have the Express front sight.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 26, 2023
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Aussie Chris said
From what I have seen, they are also relatively common on the 1894 rifles and carbines. My 1901 made 1894 has one on it and from the blue wear around it, has been on there since it was built. 1894 SRCs in 38-55 and 25-35 also seem to commonly have the 3 leaf express sight fitted.
I have the 3 leaf rear on my 1911 built 1894 SRC. The 50 and 150 are fine, but one of the leaves is broken off my 100 yard. If anyone knows of a source for a replacement I’d be happy to hear about it!
November 1, 2013
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Redthies said
I have the 3 leaf rear on my 1911 built 1894 SRC. The 50 and 150 are fine, but one of the leaves is broken off my 100 yard. If anyone knows of a source for a replacement I’d be happy to hear about it!
Broken leaves very common. No replacement, unless you can find another on ebay with 50 or 150 broken. Odd to find one on a SRC; does it have a tang sight? No other reason to replace original I can think of.
