Looking at installing Stevens Globe sight on recently acquired 44 1/2 in .38-55. Have original sight with 7/16 base. Rifle has 5/16 dovetail on the barrel. I have 5 other 44 1/2 guns. Three have the 7/16 dovetail on the barrel. Two have the 5/16 dovetail. Never noticed that they had two different dovetail widths. Want the Globe sight on this rifle. Do not want to widen the dovetail on the barrel. As I see it I have two options. File the sight base down to 5/16 or try to find a factory Stevens Globe sight with the 5/16 base. Anyone ever seen one? Also could use a Lyman 17A  with 3/8 base and file it down. It would look right and work well but the 17A came out after the 44 1/2 went out of production and I realy want to keep it period correct. Suggestions or comments?

I have never heard of a 5/16" dovetail for the front sight of a Stevens. I thought that they were always 7/16. Live and learn, I guess.

I am refering to 44 1/2 models. Could be 3/8 but hard to tell for sure without pulling the front sights. Definately not 7/16. As I said in first post, three of my 44 1/2's have the 7/16 dovetail. The other two have 3/8 or 5/16. I did not realize they used the smaller one till I bought this rifle and was going to put the globe sight on it. Strobels book on sights and scopes refers to Stevens using 5/16 or 7/16 front dovetais. The newer ones have 3/8 dovetails. I do not want to modify the rifle. Preference is to modify the sight.

MVA will custom size one of their globe sights to whatever size your dovetail is. Call Cheryl at their office and ask her about it.

Montana Vintage Arms
61 Andrea Drive
Belgrade Mt.  59714-8918
  Phone
(406) 388-4027