1861 Springfield front sight

[Kansas Jake]

I recently purchased an 1861 Springfield Armi Sport reproduction. It is missing the front sight and doesn’t show any evidence of where the sight was on the barrel. I ordered a replacement and have received it. I’m wondering how far back from the muzzle to place it. If any of you have this rifle could you post the distance from the muzzle. I ordered the taller front sight so I will be able to regulate it for mostly target shooting and don’t have a bayonet so that isn’t a big consideration. Thanks.

 

[wiscoaster]

Mine is an 1861 Colt Special, and on it the front edge of the sight block is 29 mm behind the muzzle edge.

 

[akroguy]

The standard issue 61 front sight is a tiny nub of a thing and I removed mine and trashed it. Put on a taller "skirmisher" sight on it and use the wider V in the rear vs the miniscule "fine" notch. Getting the windage set is tricky. Glue or tape it on, shoot, adjust then make a small final scribe alignment line (that torch heat won't remove) during the soldering process.

 

[Kansas Jake]

How far back from the muzzle is it mounted?

 

[longbeard]

I have 3 Springfield muskets, the front sights are, Armi Sport '62 Springfield is 1.10" from the muzzle, EuroArms '61 Springfield is 1.175", an original '64 Springfield is 1.225" from the muzzle. I hope this is the information you're looking for.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Thanks Longbeard. I don’t have a bayonet for it and am putting on the taller front sight so general range of those should be okay.

 

[longbeard]

I had Bob Hoyt reline the EuroArms and replace the front sight with a taller sight. It works great. Plenty of meat on the sight to allow filing it to the height you need. I soldered a taller sight on an Enfield, it's not very difficult.