winchester 1885 rear sight?

[snuffy789]

I just bought a new WInchester 1885 in 45-70 and I know I want a new rear sight.

I know that marbles and lyman make the tang sights but do they get in the way when shooting or hunting?

Does anyone make a peep sight for these to install in front of the hammer or would it not look authentic enough?

Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

A tang sight doesn't get in the way once you are used to it.
Gotta use good technique and position so the recoil doesn't poke you in the eye.

Williams makes a receiver sight that will fit but you have to have the action drilled and tapped for it.

There might be a Williams Guide that would mount to the top of the receiver. Does yours have holes drilled and tapped as for a scope base?

 

[Maverick223]

I installed a Williams model FP-1885-TK on my Browning 1885 (the new Winchester models should be drilled and tapped the same but it wouldn't hurt to contact Williams first). The "TK" designation indicates that it has target knobs, which are calibrated to 1/4MOA clicks IIRC. This is great for target work, but I would stick to the harder to bump off zero (and cheaper) standard version of the same sight if you plan to use it for hunting.

Personally I prefer the tang sight for the period look it gives the rifle, and slightly greater sight radius, but I was left without this option because mine has no tang. Additionally the Williams receiver sight is a little too tall for the standard front sight post, so you must purchase a taller sight to properly zero the rifle for a proper zero at close range (I couldn't get it close at 50 or 100yds. before the replacement). I ended up using this sight because I wanted the spirit level and finer reticles, but this one would likely work just as well at much less cost.

 

[Maverick223]

Here is a photo with the Williams receiver sight (with larger eye cup swapped from a similar sight installed on my Browning 1895) and Lee-Shaver globe installed:



Also included in the attachments are detailed images of the aforementioned sights.

 

[snuffy789]

Thanks!

 

[snuffy789]

has anyone tried the upright peep from marbles?

 

[Jim Watson]

I had a period Marble's Flexible on my period Winchester.
A good sporting sight but I am a target shooter and went to a Soule vernier tang for better adjustments.

 

[Maverick223]

I haven't tried the Marbles on this particular rifle, but on others it has worked well. That said, I too prefer the vernier tang sights (where appropriate).

All this talk of receiver sights has just about convinced me to purchase a new "Pattern 21" sight for my Browning 1895 (it currently wears a Williams FP similar to the 1885).

 

[snuffy789]

1885 sights

Good stuff - keep it coming!

 

[snuffy789]

Yes - I talked to williams and they said that the FP85 mounts on top of the reciever and hangs down on the left side. No drilling required. What is the "pattern 21" sight?

 

[Maverick223]

Sounds like you are set.

The Pattern 21, is a receiver type aperture sight that was used in the 19th century. It is available for the Winchester 1894 and 1895 (which is what I want to plop it on), and perhaps a few others (but not the 1885 to the best of my knowledge). It is a fairly simple sight (stamped steel, with no target knobs just a little lever for elevation), but is small, low, lightweight, and accurate enough for hunting and such.