I picked up an old Philadelphia Sidle target scope at our last OAC monthly show. A friend had it for sale, and at the end of the show it was still on his table. I asked if I could look at it, and before I even looked it over he knocked a good amount off his asking price, so I brought it home!
I finally took time to consider which rifle I might install the Sidle scope on, but everything I had required me to D&T a new pair of holes farther out on the barrels, until I pulled out the Schoyen I had restored about 6 years ago! Before sending it to Al Springer for rust bluing, and color case, I had filled numerous extra holes in the barrel. One set of filled holes was exactly where this front scope mount needed to be to use the Sidle scope! So set the gun up in my drill press and drilled out my plugs, and threaded it again for the same 8-40 scope screws.
I was a bit concerned that the threads might be slightly off the old holes, and could pull the old threads out, which could mess things up. But I had Loctited the plugs, and peened them before draw filing. So they D&T out just great, and tightened down without an issue. Scope looks like it's been there forever, and fits the gun era great.

The Sidle scopes were unusual in they had a 7/8" tube when all others then used 3/4" then, and even smaller tubes a bit earlier. Sidle's shop was initially in Philadelphia, Pa. but in 1908 he moved his business to Corning, Ca. and continued making scopes until 1918 when he died. Sidle is credited with being the first scope maker to build scope tubes with larger objective bells to better gather light.


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Nice. 
There is a Sidle scope listed on Ebay currently, but it only has an odd rear side mount, no front mount.

Sure shot wrote on Jul 12^th, 2023 at 12:08pm:


Yes, I've seen that sale on Ebay, and the rear mount is a Sidle, and for any of the old flat side actions. Usually on Winchester, Marlin, or Savage lever actions mostly. 
The missing front mount will be tough to find with Sidle's 7/8" tube diameter, so likely require someone to custom make a copy. Sidle used a fixed front mount that didn't allow the scope to slide under recoil. Not a big deal with something like my Ballard in .32-40 and weighing 12 lbs. But I often wondered how they held up in a lighter gun with some recoil? It would be an easy mount to make for a machinist with basic skills though.

About 50+years ago I bought a Highwall with a 12x Sidle, and learned a short time later that he had been in Corning California, not Concord if I remember correctly. I don't recall the source of that information. I used to drive through Corning an the way to Mt Shasta to visit my grandparents and thought I should stop and snoop around, but never did.

rkba2nd wrote on Jul 12^th, 2023 at 3:06pm:


Mistype. I wrote Corning the first post.

rkba2nd wrote on Jul 13^th, 2023 at 1:21pm:


I’ve probably driven through Corning at least 50 times, and will often stop at The Olive Pit to get a snack and stretch my legs. Other than gas stations and fast food, there really isn’t much else there, just as you said.

So, Vall, the front ring you found is for an offset scope?  If so, maybe you should make an offer on the eBay Sidle.

Bill Lawrence