I can visualize that sneaky plan. I wish you well with it and await your report. 'Twould be a crying shame and a criminal offense to drill holes in that barrel. You never know though it might surprise you with the current sights.

Would that someone hadn't drilled for scope blocks on my Pope .32-40 High Wall, but there it is. I don't think Harry was drilling for Unertl blocks in 1896.

Yikes. You guys play for keeps out west there. Looking over your shoulders as much as looking through the sights?

I kinda like your alternative idea, Jack. I laid awake last night pondering the concept of a magnet strong enough to withstand repeated recoil cycles without moving one iota. (Iotas, and half-iotas and quarter-iotas matter at 200 yards as well as thousandths and half-thousandths.) A magnet that strong poses real world issues in getting it located on the barrel precisely where you want it on the first attempt because moving it after the fact should be nigh impossible if it meats the iota criteria. 

Might consider an ally in the endeavor who would hold your belt from behind while you approach the barrel with said kryptonite super-duper magnet in hand, ready to lend a hand to help control the magnet from sucking you into an embarrassing position on your barrel.

Beautiful and very interesting rifle Jack! If your scope thing doesn't work you could always put a vernier soule tang sight on it and just shoot iron sights.

Otto,
I have an adapter like that for my Martini with a picatiny rail top. 

Vall

I will have a tang sight on it right off but will shoot the Lyman as well.