Author Topic: Would You - Buffington Sight on Officers Model Trapdoor???  (Read 7361 times)

Offline rbertalotto

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Would You - Buffington Sight on Officers Model Trapdoor???
« on: October 11, 2012, 11:48:13 AM »
I recently found and purchased a very nice condition Buffington Rear sight. These were used on 1884 and later Springfield Trap Door rifles.

Would you install it on an H&R Officers model reproduction? This rifle has only the tang sight currently. What was "period correct"? Did any of the officers models have rear barrel sights installed at the factory?
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Offline JimBob

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Re: Would You - Buffington Sight on Officers Model Trapdoor???
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2012, 09:16:07 PM »
The description from the Armory describes the sights on the Officer's Model as follows-

"The Rifle has a plain "buckhorn" sight on the barrel,graduated like the service rifle sight,and also has peep and globe sights."

The rear sight would have typically followed the pattern of Model 1873,1877,and 1879 rear sights used on rifles.Whichever one was in use at the time the OM was manufactured.Although it is possible a Buffington sight might be found on an Officer's Model it is unlikely as the last production of the OM was in 1885 and the Buffington sight was not approved for use until August,1886.The graduations on a standard rifle Buffington sight would be off a good bit if mounted on your OM due to the differences in the barrel length and height of existing front sight.

Offline wildman1

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Re: Would You - Buffington Sight on Officers Model Trapdoor???
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2012, 05:29:21 AM »
I believe the Buffington site first appeared in '83 and officially was put on in '84.  :)  WM
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Re: Would You - Buffington Sight on Officers Model Trapdoor???
« Reply #3 on: Today at 03:27:21 PM »

Offline JimBob

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Re: Would You - Buffington Sight on Officers Model Trapdoor???
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2012, 06:21:30 AM »
I believe the Buffington site first appeared in '83 and officially was put on in '84.  :)  WM

Per Frasca & Hill The .45-70 Springfield-

"Production of the Buffington rear sight started in 1885,but was halted due to problems with the sight.A number of arms were assembled but not finished until the sight problems were resolved in August,1886.As a result,arms with serial numbers starting with 290,000(January,1885)will be found with the improved Buffington sight even though not officially approved until August,1886."



Offline Lucky R. K.

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Re: Would You - Buffington Sight on Officers Model Trapdoor???
« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2012, 08:45:06 AM »
I have an original model 1884 with the Buffington sight.  INMO it is an excellent barrel sight and, if your eyes can see it clearly, you will be able to shoot good groups.  The sight has adjustments for both elevation and windage and several style blades. (peep, blade, etc.).  I took the rifle to the range this past Wednesday and was able to keep the hits in a 14" circle at 200 yards after getting the sight set.

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Offline St. George

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Re: Would You - Buffington Sight on Officers Model Trapdoor???
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2012, 09:03:03 AM »
The most common rear sight was the Model of 1879 'Rifle' rear sight - a marked improvement over the earlier Model of 1873.

They were installed at the Armory on all rifles.

The sight base is marked with an 'R'.

Just so's you're aware - mounting one will obscure the very top serifs of the Harrington & Richardson lettering on your barrel.

That may or not bother you, but it can't be helped when you're using an original rear sight base.

Vaya,

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