First model 1873 front sight

[Chris]

Hello all, Maybe someone here can help me outI remember reading i believe it was mentioned in one of the newsletters about the early model 1873 rifles had two types of solid front sights, The more common one with short blade that you see on most and another type was used with taller blade. Is this correct? It was many years ago remember reading this. Thank you.

[carlsr]

Hope this helps.

IMG_20240204_120137~2.jpg (117.3 KiB) Viewed 1205 times

[Fred Gaarde]

Wow, thanks Carl!

[Dick Hosmer]

FWIW, I've never seen a second variation - but that's not surprising as the range seems very narrow. Interesting if the 96500 figure is accurate. The big receiver changes absolutely took place between 96271 and 96309 - I've always rounded that off in discussions to 96300, so maybe, since a new barrel with rounded tenon was involved at that point, perhaps the sight change was at 96300 too? Who knows? Who cares? Another mystery! Keeps us off the streets!

[Fred Gaarde]

Very Interesting!
Thanks!