Hi RickC,
I have these two original Winchester Rocky mountain front sights. Both are used and appear to have been removed from rifles.
According to Madis’ “The Sight Book” the one on the left with the smaller profile is a 79E. It is .285″ high.
The one on the right is I believe a 79G. The height is .360″ but I think it’s a little worn. The distance from the bottom of the base to the bottom of the blade is about .75″ but it’s hard to get a precise measurement.
You are correct about eBay, there is a lot of mis-marked stuff. Either the sellers don’t know or they are being deceptive. From my experience and knowledge from reading all the resources I can find, only Wincheser made the base with an elliptical shape at the top.
You can have either one for $55 US or both for $100, plus shipping.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
That is not a Rocky Mt.Here is one on Ebay but its been files on. Ebay filed on Rocky Mt
Bob
Saw that one Bob. Thanks. A little too rough on the sides of the base for my 73’s. Prob could file it rounder in the front but the sides of the base are beat.
RickC
The knife blade as far as I have seen was a special order or added later. The extra heavy 73 I posted picture of lettered with a German silver knife blade.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
RickC said
Was there a particular model that the knife blade came with or was ordered for?RickC
Rick,
There are a fair number of Model 1885 Single Shot Rifles that letter with a Knife Blade front sight. The Rocky Mountain front sight was considered standard for the high-wall rifles & calibers, and the No. 21 Sporting sight was standard on the low-wall rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Rick,
There are a fair number of Model 1885 Single Shot Rifles that letter with a Knife Blade front sight. The Rocky Mountain front sight was considered standard for the high-wall rifles & calibers, and the No. 21 Sporting sight was standard on the low-wall rifles.
Bert
Thanks Bert. That makes sense & why I didn’t know because I’ve never owned any 1885’s…yet.
RickC
Rick,
While Winchester may have pictured the Model 1873 Special Sporting Rifle with a Rocky Mountain front sight in their catalogs, I am not of the belief that it was the “standard” sight used. During the past many years, I have looked at a lot of original Model 1873 Fancy Sporting Rifles, and almost none of them had a Rocky Mountain front sight installed on them. As a point of interest, I checked several of my Winchester catalogs and found that Winchester used that same picture you posted at least through the 1914 catalog. Oddly, they changed the nomenclature from “Special” to “Fancy” sometime after the October 1905 catalog and before the October 1911 catalog.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Rick,While Winchester may have pictured the Model 1873 Special Sporting Rifle with a Rocky Mountain front sight in their catalogs, I am not of the belief that it was the “standard” sight used. During the past many years, I have looked at a lot of original Model 1873 Fancy Sporting Rifles, and almost none of them had a Rocky Mountain front sight installed on them. As a point of interest, I checked several of my Winchester catalogs and found that Winchester used that same picture you posted at least through the 1914 catalog. Oddly, they changed the nomenclature from “Special” to “Fancy” sometime after the October 1905 catalog and before the October 1911 catalog.
Bert
Can’t argue that Bert. Good to know. Thanks for clarifying.
Rick
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