Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket Rear Sight

[texmac1]

My colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket NJ stamped musket is missing the rear sight has no screw hole for a sight retainer screw is there a sight that only uses a dove tail base ?

 

[hawg]

Whoever milled the dovetail ruined the barrel. You can have the dovetail welded up and then drilled and tapped for the correct sights or measure the dovetail and find a sight that fits but it wont be the correct sights. With the patina removed and the metal polished out bright it doesn't have much collector value other than it being a Colt anyway.

 

[sharps59]

I’d have to look at mine, but if I remember right that dovetail actually holds a screw you drop the sight on then twist the screw screw has uses a special pin tool. I’ll grab mine tomorrow and post pictures. You can get the sight and screw from S & S Firearms in Glendale NU or from Lodgewood.
Ps I’d get a blank L leaf you can drill a peep hole or cut a notch as needed to get on Zero.
Mine are set at 50 and 100 yards.
https://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=58S147A
https://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=58S174A
https://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=58S145&cat=89

 

[texmac1]

Thanks I see no indication that a screw hole was ever drilled in front of the dovetail I do see other muskets that have the dove tail

 

[sharps59]

Go to the N-SSA board ask there or call Lodgewood they can tell you more

 

[texmac1]

called Lodgewood talked to David told him what I had he asked about the marking on it It has a VP stamp no eagle and NJ on the left side He thinks it was a never finished barrel not drilled or it would have the eagle stamp on it after the VP. I ordered the rear sight and screw from S&S just not sure if i should have it drilled and threaded