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Is this a genuine sight designed for a Colt Lightning Rifle or something else?

1.2K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Lightning Fan  
#1 ·
I have had the good fortune to acquire a Colt Large Frame Express rifle, which came with a seemingly long paired sight, but it didn't seem quite right as far as fit based on the forward movement it had when unfolded.

After removing it from the rifle, I was a little surprised to see an "o" on the underside, which as I understand may potentially indicate that it would be for a medium frame rifle. However, when comparing it to the sight I have on a medium frame (which I believe based on the ~45 degree striations on the upward portion of the sight would be correct for a genuine Lyman sight for a Medium frame), they are clearly different in terms of the upward portion of the sight, as shown in the attached photo.

The bases look very similar, and it would appear that either would fit the medium frame, but I'm puzzled if the sight that was on the Large Frame is just a different variation of the Lyman sight for a medium frame, or something else?

Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.
Image
angled
 
#3 ·
I have had the good fortune to acquire a Colt Large Frame Express rifle, which came with a seemingly long paired sight, but it didn't seem quite right as far as fit based on the forward movement it had when unfolded.

After removing it from the rifle, I was a little surprised to see an "o" on the underside, which as I understand may potentially indicate that it would be for a medium frame rifle. However, when comparing it to the sight I have on a medium frame (which I believe based on the ~45 degree striations on the upward portion of the sight would be correct for a genuine Lyman sight for a Medium frame), they are clearly different in terms of the upward portion of the sight, as shown in the attached photo.

The bases look very similar, and it would appear that either would fit the medium frame, but I'm puzzled if the sight that was on the Large Frame is just a different variation of the Lyman sight for a medium frame, or something else?

Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.
View attachment 887120 angled
My info says O = Colt Lightning Rifle in .44 caliber.
 
#5 ·
Thank you for the replies. In the past I haven't been a fan of tang sights too much and preferred just using the normal buckhorn rear sight, but they are starting to grow on me and definitely hanging on to both (never know if I'll find another medium frame), especially since it appears both are original and not any kind of repro, if those are even made.

The lower sight on the medium frame is from an early (22xx range) 44 Cal rifle that lettered to the Browning Brothers in Odgen, UT and is so marked on the barrel as well. It's been re-blued (a very long time ago I believe as it doesn't look like most recent reblues), but I couldn't pass up the history on it and the bore turned out better than I expected.

Unfortunately, the large frame will not letter at all, but it is faintly marked V. Kindler on the barrel, so may have been a Michigan area gun. Good shooter too, although I had to warn the guy in the next stall to watch out for the brass. The medium frames shoot brass straight up at about Mach 1 as I've had them hit the ceiling at the indoor range I go to. The large frame shot the brass out at about Mach 1 to the rear wall of the range.