How about a Lyman or Marbles Tang sight for the Spencer?

.56/50 Iron · November 17, 2009, 08:40:39 AM

I can put up with the barrel sight on my Spencer carbine for now to get me through a few days of hunting. But, I really would like to put a Lyman or Marbles type tang sight on the carbine. I know that these are also set to the angle for the rifle they are supposed to be put on (no imagination on the part of the manufacturer), but I bet this angle stop could be defeated somehow. What I wonder is how tall to go to get the peep aperture at least as tall as the present barrel sight aperture? I would be mounting this into the wood of the wrist of the stock. Any reason this would not work? Maybe get some bushings that are threaded that could be epoxied in place in the wood to take the sight screws? Has anyone done this or at least thought about doing this? I see photos of Spencer sporting rifles in Marcot's book which tells me it is physically possible. I think it would look neat also. Wonder if the guys at Buffalo Arms would take one of their sights and just set it in place on the wrist of one of their Spencer carbines and tell me which one I should get?? Now that would be real customer service! Randy there seems to be pretty eager to help with other things.
.56/50 Iron

Jbar4Ranch · November 17, 2009, 09:34:59 AM

I did something similar on a .38-55 Handi Rifle. I had an unknown tang sight in the parts box, built a hardwood riser of the proper height and correct angle on top, and screwed & glued it to the wrist with GREAT results. On a cool, calm day, I've shot groups of eight inches with this hokey setup at 500 yards using cast bullets and Goex CTG.

.56/50 Iron · November 17, 2009, 11:13:50 AM

Hey! A custom base would make any sight work, no matter what angle the sight staff was set for!! Probably would not have to be too thick as the Marbles sights come with several staff heights! I have a feeling that your base idea is going to cause this project to work!
Thanks!
.56/50 Iron

French Jack · November 17, 2009, 12:24:36 PM

The only workable way is to set the Spencer up in the fashion of the original sporting rifles--- they use an elongated base that is attached to the receiver. This is essential due to the fact that the magazine tube in the wrist prevents the use of screws long enough to hold a sight securely. The base is attached to the receiver with two screws and simply rests on top of the wrist of the stock.

Gimpy Gus · November 17, 2009, 02:09:50 PM

56-50 Iron,

4 years ago I inletted a flat steel base into the wrist (1/8 "thick),using 2 shorten wood screws and Accruglass attached to the wrist of the Spencer. For a tang sight I used a replica of a Stevens ladder tang sight sold by Jeffs Outfitters 573-651-3200 or 3000 (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) I did modify the windage adjustment with a set screw. Its a great sight for hunting.Has the correct angle and looks period correct. Its been thro bear and antelope hunts and many 1000's of rounds and hasn't come off. Using extension like oringinal won't work legally since serial #'s are right where you would need to drill and tap holes.

Mescal Lee

Herbert · November 17, 2009, 05:06:09 PM

you can restamp the serial number below the original number as per the original sporting rifles,there are a number of long front arm tang sights that can be easly adapded,i made a original styl bass up fist then screwd a perdersoli mide range sight to it,you can ajust the angle of the sight by moving the spring back or forward,i also put a combination beach front sight on,that way you can youse your original sight as well

.56/50 Iron · November 18, 2009, 02:04:52 PM

Your inlet base idea should work fine! I thought perhaps just inletting two bushings that would be threaded for the sight screws (bushings to be Accraglassed into the wood of the wrist). How thick is the wood of the wrist at that point? The important point is what sight? So far a couple of ideas. I would like to use one of those Marbles "lolli-pop" sights. Looks like this is all going to be possible.
.56/50 Iron

Gimpy Gus · November 18, 2009, 04:21:28 PM

56-50

1/4" at the most. Less near the comb!

Mescal Lee

French Jack · November 20, 2009, 12:40:44 PM

There is plenty of room if you put the screw holes side-by-side on the wrist below the Serial #. It requires a base wide enough at the receiver to do this, but the base can be T-shaped, with the cross arm of the T at the receiver. It also requires that the base be radiused to fit the receiver/stock, but this would be the case any way. You can make a base approx. 3 1/2" long, and this allows it to come far enough back on the wrist of the stock to clear the hammer and give you better sight picture. The tang sight is mounted to the base, and can be positioned as needed.