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WTB: Winchester single shot front sight
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February 16, 2022 - 12:24 am
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I’m looking for an S code Lyman 20, 28, 37, or 39 for a Win. SS.  This would be about a 5/8″ wide base and about .360″ height.  These are bead type sights with 3/32″ or 1/8″ bead.  

Also, looking for a Winchester Express front sight, also for the single shot.

Let me know by PM what you might have available.

Thanks!

Jeff

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February 16, 2022 - 12:57 am
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Jeff C. said
I’m looking for an S code Lyman 20, 28, 37, or 39 for a Win. SS.  

Of these sights, only the #20 was available by 1889.  But are you sure, the front sight was Lyman, not Winchester?  If it was a Lyman, by far the most commonly used were #3s & 4s.

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February 16, 2022 - 2:44 am
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My current (damaged) front sight seems to be a Win. Express.  In general I’d like to get a Win. Ex. but I was trying to cast a wider net with this ad because I believe getting any near period correct sight will be difficult. I want a front sight to work with the Win. Express rear and prefer the larger beads, 3/32″ or 1/8″.  I think I’ve read they were called “jack” or “half jack”.  All that said, I wouldn’t rule out a vintage #3.

That’s an interesting fact about the #20 sight being the only Lyman bead type available in 1889, I did not know that.  The larger bead Lyman’s in general seem scarce.

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February 16, 2022 - 3:32 am
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Jeff C. said

That’s an interesting fact about the #20 sight being the only Lyman bead type available in 1889, I did not know that.  The larger bead Lyman’s in general seem scarce.  

The #20 was Lyman’s first large bead “jack” sight, but the #3 was also a bead sight.  Are you sure your Express can’t be repaired?  Going to be hard to find another.

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February 16, 2022 - 4:47 am
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Clarence: I definitely think it could be repaired by micro-weld, then filing, drilling for the bead stem, refinishing, and new bead making/replacement.  I’ve for sure thought about that and would welcome it if someone could direct me to someone that could do that work.  
I actually have a few Lyman (I think) replacement beads in the 3/32” size with the stem.  Evidently these were made as replacement beads.  My Win. ex. sight that I’m trying to replace is too damaged for bead replacement.

My factory letter is silent on the subject of sights but I would not doubt the Win. front and rear express sights are original.  There is no evidence of tampering or installation/removal damage to the dovetails or sights.

I would prefer to buy an original Win. express front sight!  Failing that, I’d like a Lyman bead front sight coded “S” for the single shot and would prefer a #20 1/8” bead.  Let me know what you have.  I will gladly pay a fair top dollar.

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February 16, 2022 - 5:26 am
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Jeff C. said \

My factory letter is silent on the subject of sights but I would not doubt the Win. front and rear express sights are original.  There is no evidence of tampering or installation/removal damage to the dovetails or sights.

That’s often the problem with a letter–what it doesn’t say!  The usual assumption is that “no comment” means standard sights for that particular model, but considering the unusual chambering of your gun, I think you’re probably right in assuming that the sights now on it are original.  It’s more questionable that the ledger would fail to note an extra-cost tang sight, but it’s very possible a slacker was at the bench when your rifle was being recorded; & he wouldn’t be the only one.

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February 19, 2022 - 6:19 am
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Clarence:  My gun definitely had a tang sight on it, likely in it’s period of use, shown by wear marks, dirt impressions, and a too long tang screw with period type blueing.  I would agree the tang sight wasn’t factory original.  It’s hard to believe that a tang sight wouldn’t be reflected in the ledger. As far as the express barrel sights go I suspect these round barrel, shotgun butt guns being sent to England/India may have had those sights sort of standard.  My opinion is based on a small number of completed auctions I found searching on the internet.  On the other hand, maybe the English retailer swapped out all the sights the day the guns were bought!

All:  Do contact me if you have an original Win. express or large bead Lyman single shot sight available.  As mentioned, I’ll pay top dollar.

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February 19, 2022 - 2:24 pm
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 Jeff C,

  I am not a single shot guy but like many have sights laying around. Perhaps if you posted pictures of the sights your looking for it would help find what you want. My sight books leave me confused. T/R

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February 19, 2022 - 6:17 pm
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TR said
 Jeff C,

  I am not a single shot guy but like many have sights laying around. Perhaps if you posted pictures of the sights your looking for it would help find what you want. My sight books leave me confused. T/R  

Tom

Here is the Winchester Express front he is looking for. This pic is from an 1886 ELW that lettered with Express Sight(s).

DSCF5151-1.JPGImage Enlarger

As for the Lyman front sights, did they actually have application codes? I guess I’ve never observed that, but I don’t drive too many front sights off guns, nor have I looked that close one the bottom of them. I figured the different applications (within a particular model like a #3) were primarily based on height and bead sizes. 

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February 19, 2022 - 6:44 pm
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pdog72 said
As for the Lyman front sights, did they actually have application codes? I guess I’ve never observed that, but I don’t drive too many front sights off guns, nor have I looked that close one the bottom of them. I figured the different applications (within a particular model like a #3) were primarily based on height and bead sizes.   

I don’t know if they’re all marked on the base, but some like the 17A are, & Lyman’s sight chart does show app codes for them.  It’s an unnecessary complication, as all the user really needs to know is the slot width.  Variation in the height of the front sight can be compensated for with the rear sight, so it’s just not a critical factor.

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February 22, 2022 - 6:31 am
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I bought a couple sights from a member, so I’m good on this WTB ad.

That said, I’d still like to get a true #20 Lyman 1/8” bead code S front sight (5/8” wide by .360” tall) and will pay top dollar for one!

Let me know by PM what you have available!

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