Thanks to Jed for having the foresight to purchase a series of letters that were exchanged between Mr. Arthur Savage, Baker & Hamilton and Mr. A.E. Perris. Jed had an opportunity to purchase these years ago and even though he didn't have a Perris Special, he knew these letters contained information available no where else. A fascinating glimpse into the past. I'm still digesting the information. One thing I will say: more than ever, I believe the sight that is on my rifle was placed there at the Savage factory at the time the rifle was manufactured. In a letter to Perris from Arthur Savage, Savage writes that they will take a "...regular carbine barrel and file the sight slots in by hand to get the rear sight as close to the front of the receiver as we possibly can." At first glance as I read this I thought that he meant trying to get the rear dovetail closer to the front of the receiver - which seemed odd as the dovetail on mine is about two inches further from the receiver than the dovetail on a standard carbine barrel. But, clearly what they meant is that to fit the sight requested on the barrel, they have to move the dovetail further away, but again, he states they will place the dovetail as close as they possibly can. If you look at the sight on my rifle, you will see that when the leaf is folded flat, it is almost, but not quite touching the front of the receiver. I would say there is about 1/32 to spare. It is fit in there exactly. And, added corroboration for me is the fact that there is not a mark or the tiniest ding or mar of any kind on the sight or on the barrel around the sight slot.
