New Uberti 1866 rear sight question

[Mark Headlee]

Gentlemen,

I have been looking for an answer to this question with little success. I hope someone here can help.

I purchased a Uberti 1866 Sporting Rifle (24").45 cal new out of the box. When I recieved the rifle I noticed it had a buckhorn rear sight and not the standard 1866 sliding post sight. Is this a new feature or did Uberti put on the incorrect sight.

From what I can see, it looks like the 1866 had a 1873 barrel put on it, since the sight looks like the '73 (according the the parts diagram and the originals I have been able to look at online). I can't just replace the sight since the dovetail for the sight is further down the barrel that where it should be. Am I off on this?

After I shot the rife I found the buckhorn rear sight better to get a sight picture but I want this rifle to be correct and authentic...

Any and all observations would be welcome...

Mark Headlee
Lamar, Colorado

[Coyote Tim]

I've got the exact same gun and I have the same sight as you. I don't know what each sight is called but I was also wondering why the sight on this gun didn't match the picture in Uberti's catalog. I do like the sight though

[litl rooster]

 I might be wrong but I believe it's because you bought the .45 and not the .44-40 models.

[Mark Headlee]

Fellas,

After a bit of research I have found what I believe is an answer to my question. It appears the 4th model of the 1866 Winchester was made with a buckhorn rear site. Most of these rifles were made in the 1880's with high serial numbers. An original has a price tag of over $9,000 so I think I'll have to settle with my reproduction....

http://www.winchesterway.com/view_product/product/15853X/cat_id/4/

So for all those guys with a 1866 with a buckhorn rear site it's a great rifle for the 1880's but not for an earlier impression...

Mark Headlee
Lamar, Colorado

[Big John Denny]

Actually, the earlier models of the Uberti 1866 had the sliding elevation rear sight. I believe they changed it to save on costs for having a different sight then used on their 1873 models rather than any historical significance. That way the same barrel cuts could be used on both the 1866 and 1873.