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frosty_bacon
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tang sights and Maynards
Jan 17th, 2020 at 10:20pm
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I have been eyeing a Maynard rifle for sale on a website. I know next to nothing about Maynard rifles. It is listed as a model 1882, and I am guessing from Grant's book that it is a No. 1. It has fixed sights and is chambered in 22 long. One thing holding me back on this rifle is that I prefer aperture or tang sights, and I can not see any screw plugs or holes in the tang from the photos. I know higher end models came with tang sites. Were all 1882 Maynard rifles tapped for such sights, or only the rifles that came equipped from the factory?

I suppose an equally important question would be whether anyone is making a tang sight with the proper hole spacing to mount on a Maynard rifle?

Cheers,
Frosty
  
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CharleHunter
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #1 - Jan 18th, 2020 at 4:58pm
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Not sure if this is what you may need but it is an original and would be for sale. Happy to take some better pictures if required.

Note please this is located in Australia but I have sent sights to the US with no issues previously.
  
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Deadeye Bly
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #2 - Jan 19th, 2020 at 8:14am
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Not all of them were drilled and tapped for the tang sight. It could be special ordered on any of them. S&S Firearms has repro sights but if the rifle is not drilled and tapped it doesn't have the spring and plunger that holds the sight in the upright position. This is under the tang and protrudes up thru the tang to engage the sight staff.
  
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frosty_bacon
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #3 - Jan 19th, 2020 at 11:40am
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Thanks for the replies. I never would have thought of an arrangement like that, with the spring and plunger installed in the tang. Makes sense with the milled out window in the bottom of the sight base visible in CharleHunter's post.

Thanks again,
Frosty
  
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Green_Frog
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #4 - Jan 22nd, 2020 at 8:31pm
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The tang sight in the image above was the most basic (and lowest priced) of the Maynard tang sights.  Next up the ladder was a similar unit with a screw in sight disc that locked the plate in place when tightened.  The top-of-the-line tang sight (standard only on the top few grades or special orders) was pretty distinctive as it used a rack and pinion vertical adjustment.  That’s the one I dream of finding!  Roll Eyes

Froggie
  
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Reverend Al
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #5 - Jan 23rd, 2020 at 1:59pm
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Senior Frog is talking about this tang sight ... (just for reference).  This one is on my Maynard 1873 in .40-60 Maynard (thick rim).

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I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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Reverend Al
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #6 - Jan 23rd, 2020 at 2:05pm
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Yes, "frosty_bacon" that 1882 Maynard in .22 Long has been tempting me too, but I just have too many other "irons in the fire" to buy it right now.  Hopefully you will buy it and remove the temptation!

Wink

(Plus I already have a Maynard in .22 Long that needs a few repairs and a little bit of "love" that I haven't got to yet ...)

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I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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frosty_bacon
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #7 - Jan 25th, 2020 at 4:58pm
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It is tempting. I think the only thing holding me back right now is those fixed sights.
I had a rook rifle with fixed sights that shot several inches high. The front sight looked original to me, so I couldn't bring myself to modify it, and the dovetail was such an odd size it would have taken me weeks with file to fit a new front sight. I finally just pass it on down the road.
  
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Maynard Buff
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #8 - Jan 29th, 2020 at 1:57pm
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There are other sight manufacturers who can make a base for the Maynard.  I have put tangs on a couple.  Deadeye Bly is correct tho, a standard sight won't fit on ones that do not have the spring assembly installed.  I have a couple of Maynard 22's which need those.  There are drilled holes, however you would need to either modify or make a base on which to mount the sight.   
Some of the old Lyman sights will fit on these, as I have one with a period Lyman installed.
Maynard had a wide variety of sights on their arms, I don't know how many variations of sights are on my Maynards.
  
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Just Jim
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #9 - Jan 30th, 2020 at 9:33pm
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I purchased one of the reproduction Maynard tang sights from Lodgewood (less base). It is quite finely made, and I thought it a good bargain. 

It does indeed require drilling five holes in the tang (if you are going to fabricate and mount the sight rest stud), and I haven't yet let myself do so this to my nicely restored No. 1 Maynard. My dominant eye is less "happy" with tang and aperature sights than it used to be, so I may choose to mount a vintage scope instead. Or, perhaps just leave it be...

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« Last Edit: Jan 30th, 2020 at 9:41pm by Just Jim »  
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Reverend Al
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #10 - Jan 31st, 2020 at 1:46pm
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That is a beautiful looking Maynard!  I love the colour cased action colours.  Nice to see what some of my Maynards might have looked like when they were new ...
  

I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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oneatatime
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #11 - Jan 31st, 2020 at 1:49pm
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Watch out! I sense that gleam in Al's eyes. He's sure making it rough on us one-in one-out guys.
  
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Reverend Al
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #12 - Jan 31st, 2020 at 2:32pm
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Grin
  

I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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Green_Frog
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #13 - Mar 16th, 2020 at 10:14pm
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Ever since I got my first Maynard I've lusted after the deluxe tang sight shown by Rev. Al.  There were apparently a few reproductions made up in the old shops of post Soviet Faroffistan and sold by "Parts Unknown."  I found out about them right after they sold out and have had no luck finding one of them either.  Cry

Then I found out about the Lyman tang sight for the Maynard and was so excited until I saw the prices they bring.  Shocked

So I still have the basic tang sight on my #9 Model 1873.  Undecided

Froggie
  
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Just Jim
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Re: tang sights and Maynards
Reply #14 - Mar 17th, 2020 at 9:55am
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I just picked up another Maynard, and it came with a Lyman sight in place. It was full of dried oil and dust, so I pulled it off for a good soak in kerosene. I was pleased to see it was the correct "Y" code base, and that no other holes had been drilled in the tang. 

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My No. 16 has one of the "Parts Unknown" repro rack and pinion sights. It's very satisfactory, although of course I wish it were the correct original sight.
  
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