Author Topic: 1873 trapdoor sights (Read 1238 times)

ratdz · « **on:** October 27, 2004, 07:50:42 AM »

Has anyone put an 1873 trapdoor rear flip up sight on their buffalo classic?
If so, what type of front sight did you use.
I am going to be ordering a 32" 45/70 barrel to put on my NEF, and I would like to get the 1873 flip up sight and need to know what front sight to use.
Thanks for any help

Longcruise · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2004, 08:35:08 AM »

Are you talking about using an original sight or a replica?

You would want the front sight to have a height that corresponded to the relative height and distance between rear aperture and front sight on a trapdoor rifle if you want the sights to regulate as did the original.

The original sights were designed as a battle sight though. They might be of questionalbe value on a Buff classic. A more useful sight might be a tang or wrist mounted aperture sight that gives you an exact 36" distance from rear aperture to the front sight.

handirifle · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2004, 08:39:37 AM »

The Montanan is probably the authority on that subject. I tried itt but the sight was terrible, so that is not a good example. I ended up with a tang mounted sight that was great.

Here is what it looked like. It was done by Lee Shaver, in MO.

handirifle · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2004, 08:41:36 AM »

Mine was the long range model, (not needed) and I used the original front sight. Just changed the insert to suit me.

ratdz · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2004, 09:23:28 AM »

here is a link to a photo of the sight I want to try and use.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/Ratdz/1873trapdoorsight.jpg

Cottonwood · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2004, 09:32:11 AM »

Quote from: ratdz

Has anyone put an 1873 trapdoor rear flip up sight on their buffalo classic?
If so, what type of front sight did you use.
I am going to be ordering a 32" 45/70 barrel to put on my NEF, and I would like to get the 1873 flip up sight and need to know what front sight to use.
Thanks for any help

Greetings

You have your choice here for the 1873 Springfield Trapdoor or 1879 Springfield Trapdoor style using the rifle sight not the carbine style. The 1873 are a copy of the origanal sight and flip up with NO windage adjustment. I used an 1879 origanal Springfield Trapdoor that has windage and elivation is marked 100 to 1500 yards. Either one of these sight should be contured to the roundness of your barrel. A gunsmith will have to drill and tap the holes for you.

These mounted out 6.5" from the chamber. The front of your sight will but up against the words "Buffalo Classic" on the barrel. I used a silver front blade sight w/brass 3/8th base. I suppose the above barrel sights could work with a Lyman 17a front globe sight. I never tried it with either the current production run Lyman 17AUG that comes with the Buffalo Classic now.

I hope this helps

ratdz · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2004, 11:07:10 AM »

Thank you all for your advice. I think I might try the Lyman 17aug, with the 1873 trapdoor rear sight. Of course I have to buy the buff classic barrel first.
thanks again
Allen