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bobw
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Tang sight sources
Jun 17th, 2021 at 10:32am
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I know sources for sights have been mentioned here before but don’t seem to be able to find them.  Can someone please list them for me?  I should say: other than ebay.   
Maybe somebody here can help.  I’m looking for what sight was used on top the extension of a #7 rolling block and a source for it.  I am thinking it is probably a standard Lyman sight less the base but may be wrong.   I also need what the front was.
Thanks, Bob
  

Robert Warren
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marlinguy
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #1 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 11:21am
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The tang sight was a Lyman, but with the special base. So if you found a Lyman for any rifle that has a very short staff it could be put on a #7 base and be a good replacement. Only option here is a good used Lyman, and since you'll only use the staff could be found on Ebay pretty easily. If Ebay is out for you, then try Gunbroker.
Front sights varied from a simple Rocky Mountain sight, to a number of special order sights like a Lyman globe, or combination sight, or Beach combination sight. But like most Remingtons of the era, I believe they used a larger dovetail up front, so finding a correct sight may be a bit tougher if you want a good used sight. But places like MVA offer front combination sights, or globe sights with the wider dovetail. Usually around .467", but check yours to be sure.
  

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MrTipUp
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #2 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 11:32am
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Other than the special base, the No. 7s I've seen appeared to have a Lyman # 1 sight with a short staff, usually a standard one, though at least one had the special # 47 windage-adjustable staff.  In any case, while I'm not sure what you mean by "the front". my go-to sources (speed never being important) are eBay and oldgunsights.com.

Bill Lawrence
  
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bobw
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #3 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 12:49pm
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Thanks guys.  Bill, I was not clear that I need a front sight also.
I also did not mention that this is a new build so nothing is cut as yet.  I’m cutting the dovetail for the rear sight today, which I can do because I have the dimensions, and will be making the sight base coming up but would like the sight in hand so I can fit it correctly to the new base.  My issue was not knowing what staff height I needed although figured it was something short.  Looks like I’ll be looking for a #1 with the 47 as an option, might be nice to have some windage adjustment.
I have no problem with ebay, it’s just that I was aware of that one.
Bob
  

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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #4 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 4:01pm
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To insure you have enough tang elevation, do a calculation of the proper front sight height (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #5 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 6:01pm
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Quote:
To insure you have enough tang elevation, do a calculation of the proper front sight height (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)


The issue with a #7 is not ensuring you have enough elevation, it's ensuring you don't have too much! Some Lyman staffs have a taller staff, and also a taller knurled collar, designed for larger framed rifles. So if you don't have the very shortest collar and staff on a #7 you'll end up with it not going low enough to avoid shooting high at most distances. 
Take a look at this No. 7 at auction, and you'll see how stubby the rear sight is.

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bobw
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #6 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 6:41pm
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Ya Vall, you hit the proverbial nail on the head!  That’s been my concern.  Since I will be making the unusual base I will be able to vary the height somewhat but still want to get the correct upper sight if possible.  Looking at photos and measuring as close as I can I think the sight needs to be around and inch tall from the center of the lower hole to the center of the sighting hole in it’s lowest setting.  I did send and email to Mike at oldgunsights asking what he knows and may gave available. 
Please keep the thought and information coming, it’s all helpful.
  

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marlinguy
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #7 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 7:29pm
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Think it's Tony Maddox at Old Gun Sights Bob. But he often has had a #7 for sale, and may have one he could even measure the sight for you?

Tony at Original Sight Co.-edit
« Last Edit: Jun 18th, 2021 at 4:09pm by marlinguy »  

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MrTipUp
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #8 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 8:07pm
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In my experience, the most common "target" front sight for the No. 7 is a Beach.

As for the rear sight, Vall is exactly right that it's a stubby little thing.  Not having Stroebel's gun sight book or any early-enough Remington or Lyman catalogs. I turned to Rowe's American Gun Sights book.  Therein is reprinted a page from a Lyman catalog that lists the No. 7's tang sight as being stamped "R.S.".  UNFORTUNATELY, while Rowe does show a very clear photo of the sight at about 2-3 times normal size, it's one of the very few sights he does not list a "staff height" for.   So based on similar sights he does size, my guess is that the No. 7's "staff height" is approximately 1.20".  But as Vall says, there is a good chance that Tony Maddox, owner of The Original Sight Co. website, will be able to help you out as much as you need.

Bill Lawrence
  
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bobw
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #9 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 10:52pm
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Thanks guys.  Maybe I have the wrong place, it lists R.I. (Mike) Richards as the contact in Pelican Rapids, MN
  

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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #10 - Jun 17th, 2021 at 11:11pm
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bob,  the tang sight used on the #7 was made by lyman specifically for that gun.and seems to have been made in the quantity for those guns only around 350. in 30 years  i have only heard of 1 or maybe 2 correct ones loose and not on a #7. one #7 was special ordered scoped only and the sight was not installed. what we believe is that sight is still in the original box and in a sight collection.i have never had a chance to buy one of these sights,i would jump at the chance.i recently sold the 2 #7's i had .so no help there.good luck.   tony <><   the original sight company.
  
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #11 - Jun 18th, 2021 at 10:45am
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Bob,
     Here is a close up shot of mine on my #7.  As you can see, it is stamped MSA, which is the early Marble Arms.  Hopefully the scale will give you an idea of how tall it needs to be. 
Bruce
  
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MrTipUp
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #12 - Jun 18th, 2021 at 11:42am
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That's absolutely wonderful, Bruce!  With such a specialized and likely limited market, I had long presumed that only Lyman made sights for the No. 7.  Then here you come with an appropriately-marked Marble's sight ("MSA" stands for "Marble's Safely Axe", not "Marble's Small Arms" as some suppose).  May even the trickles of new knowledge never run dry!

Bill Lawrence
  
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #13 - Jun 18th, 2021 at 11:44am
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one sold on ebay a number of mounths back Ken
  
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bobw
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Re: Tang sight sources
Reply #14 - Jun 20th, 2021 at 7:46pm
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Well, I want to thank everyone.  Bruce, yes the photo is a big help but I’m not sure what I’m going to do now on this gun.  I thought there would be a standard model sight that fit it!  I have Lyman, on a gun, it looks like I need to dig out and study.  I had that sight completely disassembled because it would not extend or retract the staff but don’t remember how everything works anymore.  It seems like I remember a bunch of tiny ball bearing in it thoigh.  Also am wondering if I could take an existing sight and change the staff and barrel lengths?
Sorry for the delayed response, was out of town for the weekend. 
Bob
  

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