Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors 2 piece rear sight

I saw a pre 64 (1948) model 70 that was in very good condition. It has a two piece rear sight on it. You can flip
the back one toward the action or the front one toward the front sight.

I was wondering if this was a option way back then or if it is aftermarket. The installation was excellent if it was
added later.

If you're referring to an Express sight, what you saw was not factory. Early Winchester Model 54's were equipped with a two leaf express sight and pre-64 Model 70's chambered for the 375 H&H Mag. had a caliber specific express sight....

The express sights I have seen all folded in the same direction and were different heights. This one
folds to the front and back depending on which sight is up at the time. While I have not measured
them, they appear to be the same size.

Here is a link to pictures of the sight and the scope mount and scope. It is unusual also since it
is a Lyman Alaskan 2 1/2 power with a post. The mount is a Griffin and Howe that appears to
be a quick release type.

Any information on either the scope or the rear sight would be appreciated.

http://s991.photobucket.com/user/boliep/library/1948%20pre%2064%20270?sort=3&page=1

That is a Lyman 6W. It was original to early model 54 Wins and also early pre 64 Win 70's in 375 H&H, first as stand alone (very early) and then mounted on the island base. I don't believe it was original to a non 375 H&H model 70, but could have been a Special Order. Without documentation as to being a Special Order you can't assume as original.

Thanks for the identification of the sight. At least I now know what I have.

Plus the Lyman sight would fit with the Lyman scope. Supposedly the original
owner sent the rifle to NY for the installation of the scope. Having the folding
sight done at the same time would make sense.

As to the difference in height, a quick calculation assuming a 20" sight radius tells me a 10" change in zero at 100 yds (about the difference between a 100 yd to 300 yd zero) is only 0.056". It doesn't take much.

After getting the rifle and looking closer at the rear sight, there is a difference in the height of the
two flip up sights.

I have not measured them.

Yep....

Now this is purely for the M54 Win. It has the goose egg rear site boss on all eras, but the later ramp identical to the integral ramp of the Win 70 is later. The earlier M54's had front sights similar to 1898 Krags. I do not know the heights of either front sight with or without the ramp or the heights of the leafs on the Lyman 6W for that matter, but the ranges for the M54 with the 6W is 200 yards and 500 yards!

"but the ranges for the M54 with the 6W is 200 yards and 500 yards!"

Optimistic or ambitious, take your pick. Of course the bullet will get there, but with my uncorrected eyes, minute of truck at 500!