Log In
July 31, 2005
Offline
Greetings,
I have been away from collecting for a while. Back into it now. My specialty is the Model 1876. In my collection I have a few Winchester and Lyman tang sights. These include a graduated tang sight and the mid range vernier. It is my understanding that the tang angle is different on the 1873 and other models, including the 1876 and single shot.
In the book “Old Gunsights” by Nick Stroebel he states on page 289 for the graduation tang sight section, “The model of rifle the sight was supplied on is sometimes stamped on the underside of the base: 1873, 1876, or 1886. All are interchangeable as to appliction.” From my own experimination, it appears that this is not totally correct. The sight may fit the screw spacing but the stem may not be at a 90 degree angle to the bore if it is made for an 1873 but fitted to an 1876.
Thoughts?
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
May 2, 2009
Offline
Bill,
Yes your are correct. The 76 is the odd duck with a different angle to the wrist. All the sights will fit the 76 but the staff will not be perpendicular to the barrel if they are not for a 76. A thick base sight can be changed by swapping the spring, that is why they stamped the model in the spring. A Lyman tang sight with the donut spring I believe can have the angle changed but its been years since I had one apart.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 1, 2013
Offline
1873man said
A Lyman tang sight with the donut spring I believe can have the angle changed but its been years since I had one apart.
Easily done by running a screwdriver blade, nail, etc. through the loop & turning staff to vertical position; #2 sight requires loosening of nut.
July 31, 2005
Offline
1873man said
Bill,Yes your are correct. The 76 is the odd duck with a different angle to the wrist. All the sights will fit the 76 but the staff will not be perpendicular to the barrel if they are not for a 76. A thick base sight can be changed by swapping the spring, that is why they stamped the model in the spring. A Lyman tang sight with the donut spring I believe can have the angle changed but its been years since I had one apart.
Bob
Bob,
Thanks for this info. I didn’t know it was the 1876 that had the different angle to the wrist. I thought it was the 1873.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
November 2, 2009
Offline
Hey Bill, this is Rick. What 73 Man said is correct, when talking about the long range, mid range and Vernier tang sights. Those sights are exactly the same, BUT the ones intended for use on the ’73 were marked 73 on the staff spring. Those intended for the ’76 were marked ’76 on the staff spring. Spring length is slightly different between the two models. In other words, if you have a sight with a spring marked ’73, you can swop that one out for a spring marked ’76 and you’re good to go for any of your GREAT 1876 model Winchesters. Still wish we had written a book on these guns. Oh well, maybe in our next life. Looking forward to seeing you in Denver next year.
1 Guest(s)
