[adrians]

good morning .
yesterday i biught a springfield mod1873 trapdoor (dated 1883) but it has been "cut down" to a 23" barrel (the guy said it was done long ago by "the indians") ,i don't know about all that ,but anyway it is now missing a front sight .
WHAT TO DO ? please help .
ps the rifle is in great shape ---good bore,machanically very sound,good wood ,but alas no dang sight ... thanks adrians

[M14man]

You can probably have an appropriate one silver soldered on by a good smith. He should have in his bin o parts a sight that will work..and be appropriate.....or you can mill a slot like the originals, or have him make one up as a replica...

[JimBob]

Since it has been cut down the collector value is gone.Mill a dovetail for a standard 3/8 ths sight dovetail and put a sight to suit on it. I've had more than one cut down I put a Lyman 17a or similiar globe sight on it. LOL At least you'll get a good sight picture,far better than an original front sight.

[adrians]

thanks guys i think i might be able to make a sight myself i have a small bench grinder and stuff but the problem would be soldering it in place(i've never soldered before).
oh !,and the hight from the top of the barrel to the top of the sight would be???????? heck i don't know, any help would be awesome ,
have a great sunday nite ..ADRIANS

[M14man]

Estimate from my photo...it's genuine...then grind down as necessary..

[JimBob]

From the center line of the bore to top of sight blade for the M1873 is as follows-

Rifle .645

Carbine .673

Your height to correlate with the elevation markings on the rear sight will be different due to the difference in the diameter of the barrel where it was cut off.

[adrians]

thanks guys both the picture and dimensions given are going to a BIG help (i think i'll try and make one ,i got time and nothing to lose.)
yall have a great nite and thanks again.

[border collie]

Get a Brownells catalogue #62 , go topage 234, there is a chart for calculating sight heights. good luck