Rear sight for the Officers 1875 trapdoor rifle

[Rabbit]

Good morning forum,
I picked up a H&R Officers model rifle a few weeks back, I would like to add the rear sight. I ordered a 1873 Rifle trapdoor sight, I do not believe it will work. Well, it does work but in order to get a good sight picture, I have to set the sight on the 400 yard setting. I am posting to see if anyone else has added a rear sight and if so, which one did you use?
Thanks in advance,
Rabbit

[St. George]

It was built for the Model 1875 'Rifle' rear sight - so-marked with the letter 'R'.

Originals are out there - be sure you use one.

Mount it exactly - using the sight base distance from an original, and you should be fine.

The sight base 'will' obscure the top of the lettering on your H&R.

Scouts Out!

[Rabbit]

Hello St. George,
I bought my original 1873 Rifle sight from Al Frasca, it is old/new stock, just what you would expect from Mr. Frasca. The problem is, when I sit the sight on the barrel, it is hard to pick up the front sight, in fact, I don't have a decent sight picture unless the rear sight is set on "4". I did specify a rifle sight, and the sight is perfect. Another friend told me to measure the distance from my original Trapdoor rifle, from the front of the receiver to the back of the rear sight and use that measurement to set up my H&R model 1875. I am willing to do that, I really like the look of the gun with the original rear sight. I have also added a wooden pistol grip, checkered, just like the rifle pictured at the top of page 42 of M.D. Waite's book Trapdoor Springfield. St. George, is my sight picture correct, maybe it actually is. Maybe I will just have to lean back to get the correct sight picture, and maybe this was correct back in the 1800's.

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[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

is the problem eye focus? perhaps you need to lengthen the stock with a lace-on butt pad? I like the idea of measuring sight placement with an original rifle.

How are your eyes? Mine are OLD! I need glasses that allow me to bring the front sight into sharp focus, whilst still being able to see the target well enough to get a steady hold.

[PJ Hardtack]

I had an original rear sight installed on my H&R 'Officer Model'. It was placed according to what looked correct in historic photos.

I'd give you measurements, but I recently sold the rifle. It was just too pretty to hunt with and after years as a safe queen, it was time to part with it.

[St. George]

Take a piece of tape or sticky wax and 'mount' your rear sight base 'exactly' from the front of the receiver to the rear end of the sight's base on an original.

Those measurements are where originals were installed, so your sight picture 'should' by exactly like that of an original.

Once done, mark the holes for drilling.

If you've gone so far as buying the pistol grip - you might want to mount a 'Beach' front sight as well - most originals did have them, but not all.

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

Mine had the Rifle rear sight and the Beach front when I got it. I've never had a problem with sight picture with it. My only complaint with it is that it doesn't like BP. (no surprise there, right?)

St. G, How did  that wooden pistol grip you were having made turn out? Someday I'd like to see it.

[St. George]

Jerry,

Right after you'd mailed it and the guy looked at it and made his drawings, he stopped doing woodwork - and that's when I mailed it back to you...

Damned shame - I still want one - though the metal pistol grip that H&R used with their 'Cavalry Commemorative' would be nice, 'and' it'd actually fit, since it was made for their rifles - originals are wider, to accommodate the thicker wrist.

I still appreciate your sending it to me to be copied.

Scouts Out!