Odd rear sight on 76?

Ulrich2 · June 19, 2011, 11:03:18 PM

Hello all. I'm new to lever guns and because of a friend of mine now moving towards getting my own 76. The one he just purchased has a very strange rear sight that I have never seen before. It is a flat plate with leaf flip ups from 100 out to I believe 800 yards. Each leaf is tight and once up will not flop down from recoil. Was this ever standard on a Winchester or it is custom? I ask because I thought it was an ingenious design. Wish I had pics

Short Knife Johnson · June 20, 2011, 12:14:17 AM

I would hazard a guess that those are express sights. Check the proof marks on the receiver and on the barrel just forward of the action. Find out what the British proofs look like. I understand several of these beauties spent time in the Holland & Holland shop. This could have been one of them.

Ulrich2 · June 20, 2011, 11:06:47 AM

I looked at some express sights and they do not look anything alike. If you were looking at barrel from the side the sights merely look like a long flate plate. You wouldn't even know there were sights there until you look straight down on it. Then you flip up which ever elevation you want.

hawkeye2 · June 20, 2011, 10:49:45 PM

Winchester offered some express sights as options on 76s and it sounds like what you describe. Are you talking about an original or a repro gun here? Winchester express sights are very valuable and a rifle with one is quite a find.

Ulrich2 · June 21, 2011, 12:20:12 AM

All original. Don't know what he paid and won't ask as he wouldn't tell me anyway.
My curiosity is also up because I wouldn't mind having the same kind of sight for my future reproduction 76 should there be anyone out there who makes them. I do know a smith in town who could do it.

Ulrich2 · June 21, 2011, 12:25:26 AM

Just found a pic of one just like it.
http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/winchester-1876-2nd-model-2475926.html

Josie Wales · June 21, 2011, 01:21:55 AM

If you take a look at the "Got an original Winchester 76 share pics" topic in this board Two Flints has a deluxe model 76 with that same type of sighting system. He has a couple of good pics of the rear sight posted.

Josie

john boy · June 21, 2011, 03:08:42 PM

Quote... I wouldn't mind having the same kind of sight for my future reproduction 76

Ulrich, got 60 bucks to spare?

http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com/store.aspx?panel=3&productid=88&categoryid=67

Short Knife Johnson · June 21, 2011, 06:33:56 PM

Quote from: john boy on June 21, 2011, 03:08:42 PM
Ulrich, got 60 bucks to spare?

http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com/store.aspx?panel=3&productid=88&categoryid=67

Adding that to "Favourites". Thank you.

So as I was saying... sounds like Express sights.

Ulrich2 · June 21, 2011, 07:42:18 PM

Shortknife,
Most many apologies.

Short Knife Johnson · June 21, 2011, 08:32:28 PM

Ha ha

No worries. That is a most interesting find. Do some cajoling and try to get to shoot it.

hawkeye2 · June 21, 2011, 11:06:19 PM

Do NOT waste your time on that rear sight from Jeff's Outfitters, it isn't any good. I bought 2 sights from him, one being the express sight and had to send the express sight back. In all fairness to Jeff he told me the sights weren't top quality before I ordered and he promptly gave me a refund. I would buy from him again. The other sight was the repro Winchester tang sight which I found acceptable for my purposes, that is a temporary rear sight to work up some loads with. Save your $60 to put toward something better.