*** Photos Added *** Carbine Sight Cover

[KEN S]

I just bought and fit an 1883 Springfield front carbine sight cover to my original Burnside carbine.
   about $50 from Numrich
   it is an original too...
   a little dremel to the inside to smooth it off and it fits over the front sight perfectly.  screw to tighten it.
    It's tapered on the inside to fit the barrel perfectly.

     supply was low.....warning...and don't get the Rifle front sight cover, it's too low over the slightly higher
 carbine sight.

     OK...1865 carbine.....1883 Indian war cover....can't tell me someone back then didn't do it too....
    Ken

[St. George]

Why would they have even wanted to?

The Burnside was long out of issue by that time and wasn't in use by anyone.

Sight covers from their inception were never very popular with serving troops - it was just another thing to carry and often went missing, so most stayed back in the rear, if issued at all.

Scouts Out!

[Blair]

Ken S,

How well does the carbine fitted with this sight cover, fit into the carbine socket on the saddle?
If it wont fit the socket, this would give me reason to think it is not something that was done in the time period.
Just a thought on my part.
My best,
 Blair

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[Two Flints]

Gee,

A photo would have been nice to see . . .

Two Flints

[KEN S]

I made up a front sight cover out of brass,  thing kept slipping.  so I bought the original cover, and it works great.



                                 (Photos Posted by Two Flints)

    To answer your questions....
    no, it probably wouldn't have fit the carbine socket, but when chasing deer and other critters, it would ride over the saddle.
Don't forget, they didn't  throw these carbines away after the Civil War,  they were used....

    about the covers  not being issued?   possibly...but my imagination sees them in use when wanted a working gun..
   Sight covers are big now, and they weren't stupid a hundred plus years ago either...and they can't fall off.
the screw holds them tight, but you have to use a mallet to get it on...perfect fit over the sight.

    and..I use a Blakeslee, and they were not used then much either......but what the heck....boys and their toys...Ken

[Blair]

Thanks Two Flints and Ken S,

This is as I thought.
A hooded or Globe front sight that was adopted for use on the Springfield Rifles.
I am unaware of any that were adopted for use on the Springfield Carbines. (I, of course could be wrong)
If a mallet is required to install it.... what is required by the horseman to carry with him to remove it? (should he choose to remove it)

Ken S,
If you are happy with this... so am I! But how do you get the thing off?
My best,
 Blair

[KEN S]

Hi Blaire....when I said mallet,  I really should have said a light tap with a wooden dowel and a small tap hammer.  the screw holds it in place tight.  It can come off with another tap.  I holds on tight, which is what I want.
   I know the Army did not issue it for the Spencer, but I'll bet it was used out in the western sun. 
    We use sight covers now and they were a good idea then too..  anyway, I'm a shooter and it really helps.

   a while ago, someone posted using an old shell case, cut and taped to the barrel...I think this is a little more useful and
'authentic'....Ken

[Ibgreen]

Hi Blaire....when I said mallet,  I really should have said a light tap with a wooden dowel and a small tap hammer.  the screw holds it in place tight.  It can come off with another tap.  I holds on tight, which is what I want.
   I know the Army did not issue it for the Spencer, but I'll bet it was used out in the western sun.  
    We use sight covers now and they were a good idea then too..  anyway, I'm a shooter and it really helps.

   a while ago, someone posted using an old shell case, cut and taped to the barrel...I think this is a little more useful and
'authentic'....Ken

This also was a simple way to raise the front sight for better point of aim.

[Crazeyiven]

The Springfield Trapdoor carbine did indeed use front sight covers.  The following link will take you to the Trapdoor Collector website.  Al Frasca is probably the foremost authority on all aspects of the trapdoor.

http://trapdoorcollector.com/FrontSightCovers.html

David