I am fond of the old Lyman 56 and 57 SA Receiver sights. Probably being too anal here, but I would like to be period correct with what I stick on my little collection of 99 shooters.

Does anyone know the approximate dates of when Lyman began manufacture of these sights and when they stopped production?

The sight book lists the 56 as 1935-1959; 57 as 1938-1974 when the mount went to aluminum. I don't know if sights for the 99 were made during all those years.

I don't think receiver sights became popular till after WWII and then were replaced by scopes as scope and mounts improved and more rifles were factory D&T'ed.

Thanks for the dates, Rick. Was looking at my 99T at the range and wondering how correct the 57SA on it was - the rifle is from 1938 and had obviously worn a tang sight earlier in it's life. Was thinking of switching it to an older style, but now I'll leave it.

Savage switched the RS's to receiver sights in late 1938, and I'd think they started becoming more popular in the late 30's. No more having to flip a tang sight up or down, so from a hunting point of view the receiver sight is easier to work with.

While we are on the subject was does the sight book say about dates of the Redfield 70 and 80?

Rick?

The 70 was introduced in the early 1940's with either coin slotted hunter or knurled target knobs. The 80 was introduced in 1957.
Production for both ended on 1964.

Brian

As per Murray's (if we can believe it) RS's started wearing the model 70 in 1940.

Late 1938 or early 1939 is a better date than 1940 for the Redfields on RS's.

I just took the dates right out of Stroebel's book.
I wasn't around until the early 1970's, so I have to get my information from other (older) people!

Brian

hey doc... good to see you around... wondering where you been hiding... must be little league keeping you busy...

Kids are only young once!
I've been around, but kinda out of the loop so far this summer...

Brian