Rear Barrel Sight Terminology Needed

Dimner · Jan 31, 2018

Hi gents,

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this.

I'm in need of replacing the rear barrel sight on my Voere Austrian Mauser 98. I'm having a hard time finding the barrel sight I need. I think that is due to the terminology I'm using the search the interwebz. First, in the states, no one likes open sights. Everyone scopes everything and we don't even sell rifles with open sights any more (shame). When we do (or have in the past) we use this type of sight which is called a rear sight leaf or a Marbles leaf sight.

What I'm looking for is the type of sight that is used in more traditional European Sporter rifles throughout the Mid-20th century. Here is an example on a Voere from around 1968

My rifle has the mounting ramp that attaches to the barrel, just not the dual leaf insert thing. And that's the thing I need help with naming so I can search for the part.

Thanks!

deerstalker.308 · Jan 31, 2018

I’d call it a rear leaf sight....

takbok · Jan 31, 2018

These guys might be able to help you out: Sights | Peep Sights | Front Sights | Rear Sights | New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd.

Or have a look at the Recknagel catalogue: http://www.recknagel.de/Joomla/images/stories/Downloads/Recknagel-Zubehoer_8-Katalog_1_Korrektur.pdf

JTO · Jan 31, 2018

My FN-Sauer had a Williams sight that was adjustable for both elevation and windage, no leaves!

Southern · Jan 31, 2018

The first image is of a Lyman sight dovetailed into the barrel. These are also made by Marbles, and come in fixed and folding of different heights, with some extra elevation adjustment of the notch. Most of these will be a 3/8 inch, 0.325, or 8mm dovetail. The male dovetail has a slight taper, so it can tapped in tightly from one side ( the right ).

The second image is a dual leaf sight, dovetailed into an island, which is attached to the barrel by means of a screw through the dovetail into a blind tapped hole in the barrel. The fixed leaf would be zeroed for something like 150 meters, and the other folding leaf at 300 meters. Elevation can be changed by changing the height of the front blade. This one looks like a Recknagel.

Most modern European dovetails are also standardized for 1, 2, and 3 leaf bases. These bases come in different heights and for different barrel diameters.

Alan Rhone would be the retailer to help you with these sights.

Odders · Jan 31, 2018

I love this place for the knowledge available.

bluesako · Feb 1, 2018

hi I have a folding leaf sight that came off a mauser sporting rifle its graduated to 50- 75 -100 yds if it is what you are looking for you are very welcome to have it for free regards dave.

kimh · Feb 1, 2018

good ole SD, weldone lads

bluesako · Feb 1, 2018

hi if I can I will help anyone cheers

enfieldspares · Feb 1, 2018

It is a "island" type fixed/folding leaf mid-sight. Also called if it has a folding leaf a "one stand/one fold" mid-sight. A rear sight fits just behind or just in front of the bolt or block. A mid-sight fits on the barrel...mid way up...thus the name! I think in the USA NECG/Dwayne Wiebe will have them?

Dimner · Feb 2, 2018

Bluesako, I replied to your PM. Very kind offer!

I'll verify the dimensions once I receive my rifle.

Thank you very much to the rest of you. I did look at NECG, but those are sold 'in the white' and I don't have a method to blue the sight. I'm hoping that Bluesako's will be the dimensions I need. Rifle will be here next week

Southern · Feb 3, 2018

Dimner said:
I did look at NECG, but those are sold 'in the white' and I don't have a method to blue the sight. I'm hoping that Bluesako's will be the dimensions I need. Rifle will be here next week

Some are sold in the white to gunsmiths, so they can finish them to match the rifle.

But the bulk of rear sights are sold blued, either gloss blue or a fine matte black.
I have bought and installed a dozen different rear and front sights from NECG.

JTO · Feb 3, 2018

Is it at all possible that there is a standard size dovetail on European barrels to take a rear barrel sight?
There's a chap in Ireland who might have a Williams sight surplus, if he has put a scope on my FN-Sauer that he bought.

Southern · Feb 3, 2018

Standard dovetails in the USA are 3/8 inch, wihch is 8mm.
Most modern European rifles are 11mm.
Some rifles with heavier sights, like the express sights by NECG for the Winchester Model 70 Safari, are 14mm, IIRC from fitting one to an older Mauser.

Dimner · Feb 12, 2018

Well... I ran into another snag.

The rifle was described as "barrel sights removed" from the pictures online it looked liked "removed" meant that someone unscrewed the sights. I discovered when I received the rifle that "removed" for the front sight means: sawed off via hacksaw

The rear sight, or middle sight as it is called, still has the island in perfect condition. Not sure why someone would shear off the front sight with a saw. If that nubbin that is sticking out is a part of a screw, the only reason I can think of is that the screw that held the ramp in place was seized/frozen in place. Can anyone else think of why it would end up looking as it does?

Regardless, what are my options here for installing a front sight?

Essex stalker · Feb 12, 2018

Dimner said:
Well... I ran into another snag.

The rifle was described as "barrel sights removed" from the pictures online it looked liked "removed" meant that someone unscrewed the sights. I discovered when I received the rifle that "removed" for the front sight means: sawed off via hacksaw

The rear sight, or middle sight as it is called, still has the island in perfect condition. Not sure why someone would shear off the front sight with a saw. If that nubbin that is sticking out is a part of a screw, the only reason I can think of is that the screw that held the ramp in place was seized/frozen in place. Can anyone else think of why it would end up looking as it does?

Regardless, what are my options here for installing a front sight?

Can you not drill it and take it out with a stud extractor?. Worst case drill and re tap it

ileso · Feb 12, 2018

take it to a very very good smith rather than start doing it yourself, that needs tome tender loving care

Southern · Feb 12, 2018

Leave that scrap of a plug alone, and just install the front sight ramp on top of it. Any gunsmith will know how to do this.

Rear Barrel Sight Terminology Needed

Dimner

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deerstalker.308

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takbok

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JTO

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Southern

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Odders

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bluesako

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kimh

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bluesako

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enfieldspares

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Dimner

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Southern

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JTO

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Southern

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Dimner

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Essex stalker

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ileso

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Southern

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