Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Sheard express sights

I just traded for a 1931 G in 300 with a Sheard 3 leaf express rear sight.I am told that the sight is rare.Does anyone have any knowledge of how scarce this sight is?Thanks

According to Stroebel's book, Marble bought several patents belonging to William Sheard and began the manufacture of "Sheard" style sights.

The book has no photos , but says this about Marble-Sheard Folding Leaf Rear Sight:

These sights were available in single or multiple leaf designs. All were of the same basic configuration, differing only in the number of folding leaves. .... These sights are rarely encountered, and it seems production must have been somewhat limited. When found, these sights make a wonderful addition to any fine rifle. Value: $200-400 (Book published in 2008.)

Seems like you stumbled onto a desirable sight. Good for you.

Would be interested in seeing a photo of the sight if you could post one.

This one is marked "F.W.Sheard,Tacoma,Wash".There is no Marbles logo on it.I will post photos when I figure out how to.

There have been a couple show up on eBay in the last few years, you do not see them very often. Be sure it's complete with all three sliders, of the few I've seen some were missing one or more piece.

Found a picture but it's in phototbucket so it doesn't show up well -

Here is a shot of the sight.One target sight,one mid range,and one close range.

Gunrunner, I see it's missing the adjusting parts on the rear one of the three. I stumbled on to a complete leaf assemble for one of these some years ago but unfortunately it was for the center one so I can't help you. Of the few I've seen for sale I think only one was complete.

What is the value of a sight like that?
Any idea?
I've never seen anything like it.

I am not sure yet.I have seen a couple on ebay in the $400 to $600 range.But they have not sold yet.

Thanks
Any idea what years this sight was produced?

The rifle is a 1931 production gun.From what I have learned Sheard produced sights and accessories during the 1920s and up to WWII.I have seen photos of these sights that were made for Marbles as well.

That's by far the coolest rear sight I've seen on 99, or any rifle, for that matter. I would enjoy shooting it at different ranges to figure it out. Very nice find.

Looks like an expensive sight. I have an EG with a Sheard front sight and it is the best sight I've used including the Sourdough. I wouldn't mind picking up another one.

This your gun?

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...d-3-leaf-sight.cfm?gun_id=101430778#lg-6

Yes it is.

Very nice gun

I got it in a trade on an Italian 28 gauge over under.I have 2 other 300 EGs and thought I would try to move it.I have already had 2 offers on the sight alone.I do not want to sell the sight separately.It really is a nice original rifle.I have also learned more about Sheard.He was a gunsmith,sporting goods seller,fur dealer,and and all around businessman.He bought 99s,and Winchesters and put his company name on them and resold them.He must have been quite a character.

Is the Sheard name anywhere else on the rifle, or just the rear sight?

It doesn’t appear as though the sight is original to the gun. There are marks on both the dovetail and barrel from driving the sight in and there appears to be a witness mark from the original leaf sight right above the 3 in 300 Savage.

I am pretty sure that they were an aftermarket sight.I have not seen any offered in any of the Savage literature that I have been able to find.There seems to be a lot more of them on Winchesters than 99s.Maybe someone here can shed more light on whether this sight could be ordered on a rifle from Savage.

Found a better picture of a sight that show the part yours is missing better, but even it has a problem, it looks like the knurled head on the locking screw for the ladder is broken off or the screw replaced. I see the Sheard front sights in Marble's catalogs but not any of the other sights. The sight is marked patent applied for but i've not been able to find a patent, it may never have gotten one issued but without a date range it's hard to do a good search.




Added - I was only able to find two patents for sights be William Sheard, both for the same front sight, one US and one Canadian.
CA 70687, filed July 3, 1900, issued Mar 26, 1901
US 651514, filed Mar 20, 1899, issued June 12, 1900