Front Sight For The 1851 Navy

[JimT]

I got tired of fighting to see the little bitty brass bead on the 1851 Navy. In bright sunlight it sometimes disappears!

IMG_1.JPG

So I got out my hacksaw and files .... pulled the bitty brass bead off the barrel of the 1851 and cut a dovetail. Then I took a William front rifle sight and cut it to shape for the sixgun. The final profile will most likely be a bit different when I file it to sight it in for elevation, but it's close!

IMG_5935.JPG

Now if we could just a get a cooler morning that was slightly overcast I would go sight it in.

IMG_5934.JPG

[Pat C]

Not sure about the Navy. But the Army defiantly benefits from a taller front sight. As they were for horse soldiers sighted to 60 plus yards.

[Bill in Oregon]

Jim, that is a pious idea. I may need to do that on the 1860 -- or have it done as I am an ape with Parkinson's when it comes to files and hacksaws. Was thinking the dovetail sight Uberti fits on its Model 1858 Remingtons would be a semi-period choice.

[JimT]

Jim, that is a pious idea. I may need to do that on the 1860 -- or have it done as I am an ape with Parkinson's when it comes to files and hacksaws. Was thinking the dovetail sight Uberti fits on its Model 1858 Remingtons would be a semi-period choice.

I have a couple. If you want one PM me and I will drop it in the mail to you.

[Griff]

Many of the Cowboy Action Shooters do such a conversion of the C&B revolvers. I haven't... as I seldom attempt to align my sights at the relatively short distances we shoot at.

[JimT]

Many of the Cowboy Action Shooters do such a conversion of the C&B revolvers. I haven't... as I seldom attempt to align my sights at the relatively short distances we shoot at.

I can understand that.
I will probably cut the sights to hit POA at 25 yards ... or maybe just a tad high so it will be close out to 50 yards. I rarely shoot the cap n ball guns that far but you never know.

[Walt]

That's a fine-looking job, Jim. Congratulations!

I admit it would take a considerable amount of intestinal fortitude for me to undertake a job like that.

[Bill in Oregon]

Walt, all you need is a special dado blade for your table saw. Trust me!

[Ysabel Kid]

Very well done Jim!

I agree that the front sight on the 1851, while an interesting bit of history, is practically useless! Your fix is 100 times better. Did you also file the rear sight notch even more in the hammer? (IIRC, you already did a bit of work there).

[JimT]

Very well done Jim!

I agree that the front sight on the 1851, while an interesting bit of history, is practically useless! Your fix is 100 times better. Did you also file the rear sight notch even more in the hammer? (IIRC, you already did a bit of work there).

Yes. It works well with the hammer notch I opened up.

[Malamute]

Nice work!

I need to do mine, it hits about 4" over a bunny at yard range. Theres a few guns with dovetail front sights in the Cody Museum, one of a pair of guns attributed to Hickok has the front sight changed.

IMG_0061.JPG

[JimT]

Theres a few guns with dovetail front sights in the Cody Museum, one of a pair of guns attributed to Hickok has the front sight changed.

I saw that gun! Mr. Hickok obviously knew how to sight in his pistols and what they needed. His shot across the Square in Springfield, MO was a long one, but he only needed one!

[Bill in Oregon]

Mike Beliveau -- "Duelist54" -- has a very nice video on the famed Davis Tutt shot -- if the pantywaists at Youtube haven't taken it down ... GRRRRRR.

[jeepnik]

I had a similar problem on a Smith 1917. The front sight just never worked for me so I had a smith install this.

Kind of hard to see but it has a red ramp.