My "project"....

[vonfatman]

I'm trying to run down a period correct peep sight for my new "to me" Marlin 39a (circa 1954).

I'd love to find a Redfield 70 or the like....but right now I'm just dredging the waters.

Dang I think that would make a great combination!

One of my problems....if I want to match the condition of this rifle....it's gonna take some time.

I was stunned to learn how much the old steel peep sights are bringing! Ouch!!

As you can tell, my idea of a "project" is quite a bit different than what most of you would visualize...
I'm the kinda guy who keeps food on a gunsmith's table!

Bob

[squawberryman]

The '66 39A I just got has a steel Lyman on it.

[bradshaw]

Bob.... what sort of prices are you seeing on discontinued sights for the 39A? I had a Marlin 39 Mountie, which I bought used around 1960 in the the old NRA "Very Good" condition. In those days the NRA grading meant something, and "very good" would equal what folks call "mint" today. I put the Williams Foolproof peep sight on the Mountie, which like yours was drilled & tapped for aperture. I think the Foolproof cost ten skins, about a third what I paid for the carbine. While very well made, the Williams is aluminum, whereas your mentioned Lyman, along with the Redfield, were machined steel. Williams also produced a peep without the Foolproof's micrometer clicks, called the 5D----named for its $5 price. Redfield micrometer receiver sights were the cream, for hunting rifles and for tournament, with Lyman behind, and Redfield priced accordingly. Some models of Lyman, Redfield, and Williams micrometer-click sight were available either with knurled target knobs or screw driver slot adjustments, and both would be encountered on field rifles of the day.

Scopes put the crimp on popularity of these well made receiver sights. Receiver sights accounted for a lot of game, and I reckon a hell of a lot less wounded game than open sights.
David Bradshaw

[vonfatman]

David,

Some prices (for nice units with box) pushing through $285

I am in lock step with you regarding the value of peep sights. I'm fifty-five and value them above all others.
The prices quoted on eBay and Gunbroker are beyond my expectations. I will probably need to bite the bullet if I'm to get a (of vintage & condition) Redfield or Lyman.

Enjoyed your reply.

Bob

[woodwright]

Check out skinnersights.com. ive got one on my guide gun.

[bradshaw]

Years ago I jumped a huge buck at the end of the day and missed it. I had my new Remington Model Six pump .308, so new it had the awful (slippery) plastic butt plate and factory open rear sight, with bead front. Upon firing I knew exactly what happened, a a light yellow flash at dusk painted my sight picture. The bead was on the shoulder of the deer as it jumped and I fired, but the rear notch was down below the bead. The shot went high. I had made the classic low light mistake of open rear/bead front sights: to drop the rear notch in order to see the bead.

After that fiasco, the first order of business was to mount a Williams Guide aperture. (After which Ben "Bear Man" Kilham cut barrel from 22" to 16.8", installed a Ruger AC 556 flash hider, Pachmayr 1" Decelerator pad, and milled an intermediate eye relief mount. Fastest shot I ever made on a running buck happened through the Williams Guide with Burris Sourdough gold post front.)

I had been in similar situations with my old 6-1/2" Model 29, and managed to get the job done, as I managed to see the red ramp front level with the white outline notch rear. To this day a major reason I pronounce the Model 29 sights at the top of the class. (Only now, with older eyes, I prefer plain black rear notch, as for general shooting I see the white outline as a distraction.)

Tiny open sights are meant for young eyes.

By the way, Bob, that is a beautiful photo of a beautiful rifle. And to think in our youth, This is the way guns are made!
David Bradshaw

[jayhawker]

Polymer and rubber will never replace blue steel and walnut for me.