dovetailed front site on a 51 navy

[buckskin billy]

howdy yall
just wondering what ncows think of dovetailed front sites on a 51 navy. i have seen many pictures on the internet of original  51 navies with dovetailed front sites. i do not think they left the colt factory like this. probadly done by a frontier gunsmith.
i have a pair of 51 navies and have been kicking this idea around. would like to know if this would be allowed with ncows, and any other thoughts on the matter as well

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy, Buckskin Billy!

I think you're right on track, pard.  Dovetailing a sight isn't a new thing.  My own 36 cal. popgun has a dovetailed replacement sight.  (Done before I got it.)


I think this falls into the category of "they had it done when needed," rather than "they woulda if they coulda!"

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

"Back in the Day" when Vaughn Trueman was Judge, he told be that it was OK.  I've done it with a '51, and a pair of '51 R-M's.

I'd do it with my 62 police but hesitate as the round barrel seems so thin.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Yes, it's legal as it was common in the 19th century as few Colts (then as now) shot to POA. However, the problem will be finding someone to do a CORRECT FS dovetail and not use the larger more common 3/8" than most gunsmiths use as they look ungainly & the originals almost always had a smaller more delicate dovetail.  

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Mine were handmade by a muzzle loader gunmaker. These from TRACK... might work?

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=14&subId=167&styleId=762&partNum=FS-HP-B

I'm looking at this one for my 4.5 in. bbl 1862 Police;

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=14&subId=167&styleId=762&partNum=FS-FUSIL-2-B

[buckskin billy]

thanks for the help pards. sir charles that first link is the same one i have been looking at getting in steel over brass.
now that i know its legal to use i have to decide if i want to do that to my colts. once done there won't be no turning back.but it would be nice if they shot where i pointed at. ah, decisions decisions.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I don't regret re-sighting mine.  It is satisfying to have that pair of '51 R-Ms shooting to the same POI.

[rickk]

The squared sights, while giving a nicer sight picture than a rounded sight, will scrape holster leather off when you draw the gun.

The modern space gun holsters typically have a sight channel molded into them to avoid this. 

It's just a trade-off you need to consider.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

rickk says; "The squared sights, while giving a nicer sight picture than a rounded sight, will scrape holster leather off when you draw the gun."

If you file a small angle at the back of the blade @ 45degrees, it will avoid the cut and pick up sunlight on blackened targets or bunny fur.  The edges can be softened enough not to cut the leather but still look square when peeking downrange.

[rickk]

great tip, Sir Charles!