Odd M1868 Springfield rear sight

[Dick Hosmer]

Anyone ever see a rear sight leaf like this? Normally there would be a line for 900 yds, right at the top of the window, and the 700 and 500 yd. lines would each be about 0.10" lower down. The numbers are also larger on the regular sight, about 1.5x what is shown here.

[Fred]

It appears to me that the notch at the very top is 900, is that correct? If so, then the yard increments on the leaf being higher up than on other known early 1868's left no room for a line at 900 yards.

[Dick Hosmer]

Exactly - I believe that this variation of the sight (which, remember, was every bit as brand-spanking-new as the rifle) is an early attempt to fudge something together, based on paper ballistic theories, prior to any actual firing tests. I'll be VERY surprised if another one turns up - outside of SA or the Smithsonian, etc., that is. Now that I have the rifle, I'll have to do some digging for the details.

[13Echo]

This is your real 1868 1868 two digit SN rifle?

[Dick Hosmer]

Yes, it is.

Super piece, a way above average '68 regardless of year - still have to pinch myself, and thank my lucky stars the competition was minimal. It was not a sleeper - the sales pitch called out exactly what it was - I think that others just did not realize how rare that variation actually is.

[Dick Hosmer]

This has been relocated from the 1903 forum for further discussion, if any.

For those interested, another (the 18th known) "68/68" has surfaced, number 36. I have seen good-quality photos and it is unquestionably real. The exciting part is that it also has the same odd "pre-production sight as that on my number 62.

I have deleted the photos in this thread - those formerly visible were NOT mine; some sort of data-retrieval fookup. New photos to follow.

[Fred]

Yea, I'd like to see those!