The 1885 Winchester Low Wall with a "new" tang sight

[David LaPell]

I was having trouble getting my 1885 Winchester in .32-20 to line up with the rear sight that was on it, so I found a "new" tang sight for it, a vintage Marbles tang that goes with the look just fine. I took it to the range this morning with some factory 100 grain SP's and after getting it all together, put together a 5 shot group at just under one inch. Not bad for a gun made in 1889. This gun will see the woods this fall and winter for small game hunting for sure.

 

[Ed Fowler]

Good for you, those Winchester high and low walls have provided me with good times since the 50's. That is one nice group, you obviously have spent a lot of time with her.

 

[scooter123]

Marbles is still in business so no need to shop around for an antique. Below is my 1904 vintage 1892 Winchester with a new Marbles front bead sight and rear tang sight. BTW, a previous owner had the rifle re-barreled by Winchester in 357 Magnum and installed that pretty wood work. Unfortunately he didn't know how to remove the front magazine tube mount and dented the tube in the process so badly that it would work forward after 1 or two shots and completely jam up the action. Made up a 0.450 diameter "anvil" out of O-1 and used that to straighten out the magazine tube so the rifle now works as it should.

As a result of the previous owners re-finish and barrel change what I have now is a very pretty shooter but what a shooter it is. With the assistance of a very experienced Range Master acting as a spotter and providing a bit of coaching I managed to put together 3 separate 5 shots groups just under 1 inch each at 100 yards. BTW, at 100 yards that marbles Bead was about 3 to 4 times as large as the 10 ring in the target I was shooting at so this old fart was very pleased with being able to do this even if I did need some coaching.

So, antique Winchester, some iron sights, pretty wood, Life is Good.

 

[6518John]

David—Opinion of the grouping from the squirrels:

 

[Ed Fowler]

I added one of Marbles "Ivory" front bead front sights and it improved my sight picture dramatically. Not expensive and you can't tell the man made ivory from the real stuff with your eyes, at least I can't. It is just something in the ivory color that subtly gives me a real boost through the peep sight.

 

[30-30remchester]

I have of number of old folding tang sights as well as receiver sights that are residing in my gun parts drawer. Yet I have not been able to find the one I am really looking for. I need a folding tang sight, either Marbles or Lyman, for a Winchester model 61. Does anyone have one laying around without a gun to fit it?

 

[Bakebfr480]

How's it group at "rifle" ranges?

 

[David LaPell]

How's it group at "rifle" ranges?

That's next week hopefully. Not to mention when I start handloading for it. But I am hoping to take it out soon for some small game hunting, hoping for decent weather next week.

 

[2152hq]

Nice looking rifle and great shooting!

Love the tang sights and iron sights in general.
I have tang sights on several rifles. Even a bolt peep tang on a 1910 Mannlicher Schoenauer.

I've avoided scopes pretty much so far. Just a couple that came to me with one fitted,,otherwise I don't put them on .
Talk about stubborn...

 

[OldChief]

You have a beautiful rifle there and great shooting. This is my Browning Model 1885, .223 with a Redfield 3-9x scope.

This is a target fired at 100 yds using one of my hand loads, 26.6 grains of Varget pushing a 55 grain V Max. Old eyes need glass sights.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have shared before that I have a Ca. 2005 high Wall in 38-55. The barrel has a dove tail cut for the front sight. I installed a Lyman 17 series globe sight. They come in low, medium, and high; I think you will want low like I did. I have a new production Lyman tang sight, that is similar but not near the Quality of the older Marble's tang sights.

About 8 or 10 years ago I fired a 10 shot group of hand loads (Trail Boss & Bear Creek bullets 255gr FP) and had a small ragged hole for a group. I had zeroed in using the fine cross hair insert that comes with the globe. That insert and a couple others allow for fine aiming. I hope this helps.

Ivan

 

[Ed Fowler]

Globe front sights are definitely an advantage, have been considering developing one for a revolver or pistol front sight, just have not got around to it.Maybe just a front sight cover, it could reduce front sight glare on a sunny day as well as protect your sight blackening from being rubbed off.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Globe front sights are definitely an advantage, have been considering developing one for a revolver or pistol front sight, just have not got around to it.Maybe just a front sight cover, it could reduce front sight glare on a sunny day as well as protect your sight blackening from being rubbed off.

Very interesting! I see the cross being pretty high, even in a low profile globe. I do have a Contender that might be a good project for that.

I have two Ruger No.1's, I have a aperture rear sight that clamp to the Ruger scope base. Now I would need a globe for the front!

All these fun guns without front dovetails!

Ivan