1861 Springfield

[Ricochet]

I made a tool and removed the rear sight. The screw was really tight and I was not sure I could get it out, but it finally broke free. The sight had been on there a long time. Underneath the sight was hardened, congealed oil. There are no marks on the underside of the sight, or on the back of either sight leaf. The only mark is an "M" on the left side of the sight base. I have a nicer sight on the way. Thank you all for the compliments and suggestions.

 

[Package4]

Here is a photo of the rear sight, with a little bit of glare on it to show the surface detail.View attachment 187908

And yes, the piggybank is a little lighter than it was !

That doesn't look like pitting but accumulated crud on the sight, I would slowly let the crud dissolve in a small jar of progressively aggressive cleaning solutions and take a toothbrush to it. I would venture that the sight is original to the gun and would not replace it.

 

[Package4]

By the way beautiful piece and rare as most '61 & '62 dated pieces are, in that condition; highly desirable!

 

[Ricochet]

Package4, thank you for the suggestion. I will take your advice, and see if the sight will clean up and reveal any more detail.

 

[ewmail15]

I was wrong $2.99 shipped.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/40X25mm-Ligh...038534&hash=item41e1660dcb:g:9KsAAOSwfVpYuOyK

 

[James N.]

Beautiful '61; welcome to the forums from another fellow collector!

 

[johan_steele]

I would also say that is an original rear sight and think it could be original to the piece.

 

[Patrick H]

I 've had several old rifles and muskets pass through my hands, but I've never been lucky enough to find stock cartouches or metal surfaces as good as you show here. I am no expert, but I like your piece! Welcome from Missouri.

 

[MRB1863]

Agree, very nice Springfield!!!!

 

[Ricochet]

This a follow-up on the condition of the rear sight. I soaked the sight in Kroil for 2 days. Today I wiped the oil off of the sight and worked with my fingernail on the surface of each leaf, then got out the jewelers loupe. The surface of the leaves is very finely pitted, but with the loupe I can see the very faint remaining imprints of the 3 and the 5. They can't be seen well with the naked eye, at least not with my eyes.

I have a couple of questions. First, if this sight is original to the musket, is there an explanation for why the sight would have more surface corrosion than the rest of the metal on the gun? I have no doubt that this is an original sight. Also, although a couple of people have already offered their thoughts about this sight, I will ask anyone else who cares to offer their thoughts about whether I should keep this sight on the musket, or put another original sight on it that matches more closely to the condition of the rest of the gun. I have been around firearms all my life, but I have no experience with CW guns. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and opinions on this.

 

[James N.]

... I have a couple of questions. First, if this sight is original to the musket, is there an explanation for why the sight would have more surface corrosion than the rest of the metal on the gun? I have no doubt that this is an original sight. Also, although a couple of people have already offered their thoughts about this sight, I will ask anyone else who cares to offer their thoughts about whether I should keep this sight on the musket, or put another original sight on it that matches more closely to the condition of the rest of the gun. I have been around firearms all my life, but I have no experience with CW guns. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and opinions on this.

Since there really isn't any question as to the authenticity or correctness of the sight, or its functionality, in the absence of any further information I would recommend leaving it alone.

 

[ewmail15]

Different steel composition? Different preservation process at the factory (hardening, bluing the barrel, receiver vs. ??? for the sight)?

400 then 800 grit auto body/water-compatible sandpaper (use water) will do nicely to clean up that sight. After done sanding and drying, rub with bore butter from Cabelas. I use my 40x all the time and haven't seen any scratches.

Is there a peg or screw that's holding the leaves in place? I've also used frying pan cleaning steel pads from Menards. Really soft on parts I've cleaned.